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Persistent truncus arteriosus in a 6-year-old cat
A P Nicolle1, D Tessier-Vetzel, E Begon
1Unité de Cardiologie, Service d'Urgence-Réanimation Vétérinaire d'Alfort, 7 Avenue du Général de Gaulle, 94-704 Maison-Alfort cedex, France.
Insights
A rare congenital heart defect, truncus arteriosus (TA), was diagnosed in a six-year-old cat. This is the first feline echocardiography study detailing this specific cardiac malformation.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Cardiology
- Congenital Heart Defects
- Feline Echocardiography
Background:
- Truncus arteriosus (TA) is a rare congenital heart anomaly where a single great artery arises from the heart, supplying both systemic and pulmonary circulation.
- Early diagnosis and understanding of TA are crucial for managing affected animals.
Observation:
- A 6-year-old domestic short-haired cat presented with a diagnosed case of truncus arteriosus.
- Diagnostic imaging included two-dimensional, M-mode echocardiography, colour flow, and spectral Doppler examinations.
Findings:
- The echocardiographic findings revealed a single large artery originating from the right ventricle.
- A common arterial trunk gave rise to a single ascending aorta and a single pulmonary trunk, which subsequently bifurcated into left and right branches, consistent with Type I TA.
- This represents the first reported echocardiographic-Doppler description of Type I truncus arteriosus in a feline.
Implications:
- This case highlights the utility of advanced echocardiography in diagnosing complex congenital heart defects in felines.
- The diagnosis at an older age suggests potential for varied clinical presentations and survival in feline truncus arteriosus.
- Further research into feline congenital heart disease is warranted to improve diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Abstract:
Truncus arteriosus (TA) was diagnosed in a 6-year-old neutered female domestic short-haired cat by two-dimensional and M-mode echocardiography, colour flow imaging and spectral Doppler examinations. The lesion was characterized by a single large artery originating from the right ventricle. A single ascending aorta and a single pulmonary trunk arose from the common arterial trunk. The residual pulmonary trunk immediately split into left and right branches. The lesion was identified as a type I (TA). This case is of interest because it is the first reported echo-Doppler description of such a malformation in felines, and because of the age of the cat at the time of diagnosis.
