The information in this document is supplied solely as a resource for journalists.
Any questions about your veterinary healthcare or treatment should be
The QUEST trial is the largest global clinical study of its kind ever to be
conducted amongst dogs with congestive heart failure. QUEST stands for
Quality of Life and Extension of Survival Time, and was an international, multi-
centre clinical trial comparing two treatments used to combat congestive
Overview
• Comparison of pimobendan (Vetmedin®) and an ACE-inhibitor treatment
(benazepril hydrochloride) in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease
• 260 dogs enrolled across 11 countries
Study Aims
• Primary: To assess the effect of pimobendan therapy on survival time, in
comparison with benazepril hydrochloride, in dogs with congestive heart
• Secondary: To assess the effect of pimobendan on quality of life in dogs with Patient Inclusion Criteria
• MMVD, confirmed by ultrasound of the heart chambers and valves
• Pulmonary oedema (fluid build-up in the lungs) confirmed by radiography
Patient Exclusion Criteria
• Other significant conditions, e.g. heart, kidney, liver, stomach or intestinal
Trial Design
QUEST was a randomised, positive-controlled, multi-centre trial conducted at 28
sites across Australia, Canada and Europe. The clinical phase of the trial ran for
three years. After recruitment, patients were randomly allocated to either a
pimobendan or benazepril hydrochloride treatment group, each group
consisting of 130 dogs. The trial followed dogs to death, euthanasia or
treatment failure leading to withdrawal from the trial.
Dosing Schedule
The pimobendan treatment group received a daily dose of 0.4-0.6mg/kg, using
a suitable number of 1.25mg or 2.5mg capsules depending on weight, which
were administered twice daily. The benazepril hydrochloride group received
0.25-0.5mg/kg daily, adjusted to a suitable number of 5mg tablets, according
to the manufacturer's recommendation - this dose could be doubled at the
request of the Investigator. The UK datasheets for both medicines can be
All dogs in the study received furosemide as required.
Measurement Of Treatment Effects
• Respiratory: respiratory effort, coughing, shortness of breath or coughing at
• Circulatory: heart rate, heart failure score, electrocardiography and
The first round of results from the QUEST study have been published in the
September/October 2008 issue of the peer-reviewed Journal of Veterinary
• When considering the total study population, the median survival time for
"all dogs" was 188 days
• The median survival* of dogs receiving pimobendan was 267 days,
compared to 140 days for those receiving benazepril hydrochloride*
• Survival* was extended by 91% in dogs receiving pimobendan compared
* Survival was defined as the composite endpoint of cardiac death, euthanasia due to heart failure or treatment failure † Häggström J et al. Effect of pimobendan or benazepril hydrochloride on survival times
in dogs with congestive heart failure caused by naturally occurring myxomatous mitral valve disease: the QUEST study. J Vet Intern Med; Vol 22:5, 2008
"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
For further information on the QUEST study and its findings,
Provided as a service by Boehringer Ingelheim Ltd, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 8YS, UK.
Vetmedin contains pimobendan. Prescription only medicine. Date of preparation:
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The information in this document is supplied solely as a resource for journalists.
Any questions about your veterinary healthcare or treatment should be
The QUEST trial is the largest global clinical study of its kind ever to be
conducted amongst dogs with congestive heart failure. QUEST stands for
Quality of Life and Extension of Survival Time, and was an international, multi-
Patient Inclusion Criteria 
Measurement Of Treatment Effects 
"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
For further information on the QUEST study and its findings,
Provided as a service by Boehringer Ingelheim Ltd, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 8YS, UK.
Vetmedin contains pimobendan. Prescription only medicine. Date of preparation: