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Platelet and Fibrin complexes can be seen with the technique of dark field microscopy. They are much bigger than red blood cells and easily block capillaries. These complexes are clearly visible in dark field but not in stained bright field samples because the different staining methods disburse them. However, they are not visible in unstained blood smears. This method of early detection allows to identify people at risk and take appropriate measures.

Cardiovascular Diagnostic Tests:

1.Ratio of Apolipoprotein A1/Apolipoprotein B
2.Apolipoprotein Bho
3.Apolipoprotein A1
4.Lipoprotein(a)
5.Low density lipoprotein

Some biomarkers are thought to offer a more detailed risk of cardiovascular disease. However, the clinical value of these biomarkers is questionable. Currently, biomarkers which may reflect a higher risk of cardiovascular disease include:

1.Elevated blood levels of brain natriuretic peptide (also known as B-type) (BNP)
2.High inflammation as measured by C-reactive protein
3.Elevated blood levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine
4.Elevated homocysteine, or even upper half of normal
5.Higher fibrinogen and PAI-1 blood concentrations

The following procedures are important in the diagnosis of cardiovascular disease: history and signalment, physical examination (eg, inspection, auscultation, palpation), radiography, electrocardiography, and echocardiography. Clear images must be obtained for radiography, electrocardiography, and echocardiography, or accurate, valid interpretation will not be possible. Most cardiovascular diseases (eg, mitral regurgitation, dilated cardiomyopathy) can be diagnosed by physical examination and radiography. Electrocardiography is specific for diagnosis of rhythm disturbances (eg, atrial fibrillation, sick sinus syndrome). Echocardiography is excellent for confirming tentative diagnoses, for characterizing the form of cardiomyopathy in cats, for detecting cardiac tumors, or for detecting pericardial disease. Heartworm disease is diagnosed best by detecting antigens of or antibodies to mature, female heartworms that circulate in the blood.

Many heart diseases have specific breed prevalences. Any old, male Cocker Spaniel with a cough, labored breathing, and exercise intolerance, or any Cavalier King Charles Spaniel most likely has mitral regurgitation; however, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with fibrosis may produce nearly identical signs. Any middle-aged, depressed, coughing, exercise-intolerant Doberman Pinscher with a rapid, irregular heart rate likely has dilated cardiomyopathy. Any middle- to old-aged female Miniature Schnauzer with fainting likely has sick sinus syndrome. Any Boxer who faints intermittently is likely to have arrhythmic cardiomyopathy. A middle-aged cat with labored breathing and reluctance to lie down probably has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy; however, cancer and infection may produce nearly identical signs. An old cat is likely to have hyperthyroidism. A young Wirehaired Fox Terrier with cyanosis and exercise intolerance probably has tetralogy of Fallot.

Cardiovascular Medical Tests and Physical Examination:

1.The mucous membranes are acutely cyanotic in the absence of primary pulmonary disease (however, long standing cyanosis in dogs not acutely ill is more likely to be due to primary pulmonary disease).

2.The animal faints or has reduced exercise tolerance in the absence of skeletal muscle disease or obesity.

3.Arterial pulsations are rapid, feeble, or irregular with more heart beats than arterial pulsations (a pulse deficit).

4.Heart sounds are muffled in the absence of obesity (may indicate pericardial effusion).

5.A loud murmur is heard, or a thrill the palpable manifestation of a loud murmur is felt.

6.More than 2 heart sounds are heard (eg, producing a “gallop” rhythm) in any animal but a horse (most common in cats with cardiomyopathy).

7.Respiratory sinus arrhythmia is absent even when the animal is at rest (also occurs due to pain, fever, or excitement).

8.The heart rate is rapid, slow, or irregular (and not due to respiratory sinus arrhythmia).

Echocardiography is more effective than radiography which is more effective than electrocardiography for detecting enlargement of chambers of the heart and great vessels. In general, the degree of chamber enlargement parallels disease severity. The degree of engorgement of pulmonary veins detected radiographically, or the degree of impairment of left ventricular wall motion or thinning of the left ventricular free wall, may predict the severity of heart failure. Unfortunately, the correlation between hemodynamic or echocardiographic measurements and either signs or likelihood of death is not always good. There appears to be a better correlation between increase in heart, respiratory rates, and exercise incapacity to severity of heart disease.

Which medical tests will help me keep track of any heart or blood vessel problems?Have your blood pressure checked every time you see your doctor. Ask your doctor what your blood pressure is and what it should be.Your doctor may order an exercise stress test to see if you have any problems. The doctor will see how your heart performs during exercise.

Have your blood fats checked once each year. This checkup includes four tests:

1.Triglycerides. Your number should be 200 or lower.
2.HDL (good cholesterol). Your number should be 45 or higher.
3.LDL (bad cholesterol). Your number should be 100 or lower.
4.Blood cholesterol. Your number should be 200 or lower.