Development of Spectrum of Care Guidelines for Mitral Valve Disease

Presentation Description / Summary: Myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) is the most common cardiovascular disease in dogs, representing 75-80% of the canine cardiology caseload. The number of dogs affected far outstrips the capacity of specialist cardiologists to manage these cases; universal referral is, therefore, unrealistic. Additionally, other factors, including those relating to the client (e.g. preferences, values and finances), patient (e.g. temperament), veterinarian and their clinical environment (e.g. experience, expertise and facilities) and other factors (e.g. geographical), are important in determining how individual patients are managed. Evidence-based guidelines tailored to the management of MMVD in primary care practice therefore have the potential to improve the welfare of many MMVD patients. We undertook a research project, funded by the Stanton Foundation, i) to develop a collaborative methodology for the co-creation of spectrum of care guidelines and ii) to create evidence-based spectrum of care guidelines for the management of canine MMVD. This project comprised two parallel arms in the US and the UK to allow comparisons of current practice to be made. Following initial focus group meetings with veterinarians with a range of levels of experience, draft guidelines were created. These draft guidelines were reviewed and refined by two parallel working groups, comprising primary care veterinarians and specialist cardiologists. In this session we will share a summary of the final guidelines and discuss differences in approach between the US and the UK. We will also suggest areas for future guideline development.