Trial Results
The first results from the QUEST trial have now been published in the September/October 2008 issue of the peer-reviewed Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine1. To watch leading cardiologists discuss the study and its findings, please click on the video link below.
The first publication based on the QUEST trial data focuses on the survival* times of the dogs in the two treatment groups. The main findings of the study are that:
Survival Findings
- The median survival* for the whole population in the study was 188 days
- The median survival* for dogs receiving pimobendan (Vetmedin®) was 267 days
- The median survival* for dogs receiving benazepril hydrochloride was 140 days
- Survival* was extended by 91% in dogs receiving pimobendan compared with those receiving benazepril hydrochloride.
The authors of the publication conclude:
“The study offers the most compelling evidence to date demonstrating the beneficial effect of pimobendan when compared to benazepril for extending survival in dogs with CHF due to MMVD when used in conjunction with other standard therapy”
Implications and relevance
The QUEST study is a major contribution to evidence-based medicine in veterinary cardiology.
The survival* findings of the study have important implications for the treatment of heart failure secondary to MMVD in dogs.
References
[1] Häggström J et al. J Vet Intern Med;Vol. 22:5, 2008.
* Survival was defined as the composite endpoint of cardiac death, euthanasia due to heart failure or treatment failure. All dogs received furosemide therapy.