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Double chambered right ventricle in 9 cats
H Koffas1, V Luis Fuentes, A Boswood
1Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, UK.
Insights
Double-chambered right ventricle (DCRV) is a congenital heart defect in cats. This study describes nine feline cases, highlighting clinical signs, echocardiographic findings, and outcomes, suggesting DCRV may be more common in cats than previously thought.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Cardiology
- Congenital Heart Defects
- Feline Medicine
Background:
- Double-chambered right ventricle (DCRV) is a known congenital cardiac anomaly in humans and has been reported sporadically in dogs and cats.
- A comprehensive description of the clinical and echocardiographic features of DCRV in cats is lacking in veterinary literature.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically describe the clinical and echocardiographic features of DCRV in a cohort of cats.
- To assess the prevalence and clinical significance of DCRV in feline patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective case series of nine cats diagnosed with DCRV.
- Echocardiographic evaluation including measurements of pressure gradients and assessment of concurrent cardiac abnormalities.
- Clinical data including signalment, presenting signs, and long-term outcomes were collected.
Main Results:
- Nine cats aged 4 months to 10 years presented with DCRV.
- Echocardiography revealed obstructive fibromuscular bundles dividing the right ventricle, with marked proximal hypertrophy and common right atrial dilation.
- A significant mean pressure gradient of 130 ± 50 mm Hg was measured across the obstruction. Concurrent defects included VSD, aortic abnormalities, and peritoneo-pericardial diaphragmatic hernia.
- Five cats remained asymptomatic long-term, while three developed congestive heart failure. One cat died during surgical intervention.
Conclusions:
- Double-chambered right ventricle (DCRV) is a congenital cardiac abnormality that may be more common in cats than previously recognized.
- Echocardiography is crucial for diagnosing DCRV and assessing its severity and associated complications in cats.
Background:
Double-chambered right ventricle (DCRV) is a frequently recognized cardiac congenital abnormality in humans. It has been described in dogs and in 1 cat. However systemic description of clinical and echocardiographic features of the disease in cats is currently lacking from the veterinary literature.
Animals:
Nine cats with DCRV are described.
Results:
The cats ranged from 4 months to 10 years of age. Eight cats at presentation were asymptomatic and 1 cat had chylothorax. In all cases echocardiography revealed abnormal fibromuscular bundles obstructing the mid-right ventricle, dividing the chamber into 2 compartments. The proximal right ventricular compartment was markedly hypertrophied, and right atrial dilation was usually present. The mean pressure gradient measured across the stenotic area was 130 +/- 50 mm Hg. Concurrent abnormalities included a ventricular septal defect (n = 2); aortic malalignment, aortic insufficiency (n = 1); and congenital peritoneal-pericardial diaphragmatic hernia (n = 1). Two cats had systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve, one of which had concurrent left ventricular hypertrophy. Five cats have remained asymptomatic for a median period of 3.6 years (range, 3.3-5 years) and 3 cats have developed clinical signs associated with congestive heart failure (at 2, 3.3, and 9 years). One cat showed progressive lethargy and exercise intolerance and underwent partial ventriculectomy at the age of 2 years. This cat died during the operation with electromechanical dissociation.
Conclusions:
DCRV is a congenital cardiac abnormality that may be more common than previously recognized.
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