Treatment of three cats with hyperviscosity syndrome and congestive heart failure using plasmapheresis

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Cardiology
• Hematology

Background:

• Plasma cell neoplasia can cause hyperviscosity syndrome, leading to severe hyperproteinemia.
• Hyperviscosity syndrome can manifest as congestive heart failure (CHF) in felines.
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a common cardiac finding in affected cats.

Observation:

• Cats with CHF secondary to hyperviscosity syndrome presented with acute collapse and respiratory distress.
• Physical examination revealed heart murmurs and echocardiographic evidence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
• Enlarged left atrium and spontaneous echocardiographic contrast were noted in affected cats.

Findings:

• Plasmapheresis, a type of centrifugal plasma exchange, was performed on three cats.
• The procedure involved removing whole blood, infusing a balanced electrolyte solution, and reinfusing washed red blood cells.
• All cats experienced alleviation of CHF clinical signs, specifically tachypnea, post-plasmapheresis.

Implications:

• Plasmapheresis offers rapid relief of clinical signs in cats with CHF due to hyperviscosity syndrome.
• This procedure can stabilize patients while the underlying cause, such as plasma cell neoplasia, is diagnosed and treated.
• Consideration of plasmapheresis is recommended for managing CHF secondary to hyperviscosity syndrome in cats.