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[Case report: double-chambered right ventricle (DCRV), ventricular septal defect, and double caudal vena cava in a
M J M Dirven1, V Szatmári, J M M Cornelissen
1Dierenkliniek Broerdijk, kliniek voor gezelschapsdieren, Nijmegen, Nederland. mark.dirven@dierenkliniekrijen.nl
Insights
This study details a rare congenital heart defect in a cat, double-chambered right ventricle (DCRV), and reviews its diagnosis and treatment options. Understanding DCRV is crucial for feline cardiac care.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Cardiology
- Congenital Heart Defects
- Feline Medicine
Background:
- Double-chambered right ventricle (DCRV) is a rare congenital cardiac anomaly in cats.
- It presents with intraventricular stenosis, mimicking pulmonary stenosis symptoms.
- Literature review covers DCRV symptoms, diagnostics, and therapeutic approaches in felines.
Observation:
- A case report of a 1-year-old European shorthair cat with DCRV, ventricular septal defect, and double caudal vena cava.
- Clinical signs, radiographic, echocardiographic, and post-mortem findings were documented.
- A double caudal vena cava was noted but deemed clinically insignificant.
Findings:
- Echocardiography is a key diagnostic tool for identifying DCRV.
- The natural history and prognosis of feline DCRV remain poorly understood.
- Variable outcomes are reported for medical management, balloon dilatation, and surgical correction.
Implications:
- This case and review contribute to understanding feline congenital heart disease.
- Improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for DCRV in cats may emerge.
- Further research is needed to clarify the prognosis and long-term management of DCRV.
Abstract:
The clinical signs and symptoms, radiographic and echocardiographic findings, and the results of cardiac post-mortem and histopathological examination of a 1-year-old female European shorthair cat with a double-chambered right ventricle (DCRV), small ventricular septal defect, and double caudal vena cava are described. A review of the literature is given with respect to the symptoms, diagnostic techniques, and therapy of DCRV in the cat. DCRV is a rare congenital defect in which stenosis inside the right ventricle causes symptoms similar to those seen in pulmonary stenosis. A diagnosis can be made by echocardiography. Little is known about its natural history and prognosis. Medical treatment, balloon dilatation, and surgery have been used to treat this defect with variable outcome. A double caudal vena cava is not clinically relevant.
