Naturally Occurring Biventricular Noncompaction in an Adult Domestic Cat

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Cardiology
• Comparative Pathology
• Genetics

Background:

• Left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) is a rare congenital heart defect.
• Previously, LVNC has only been documented in humans.
• Maine Coon cats are predisposed to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) due to a specific mutation.

Observation:

• A Maine Coon cross cat from a research colony was monitored via echocardiography for six years.
• The cat was heterozygous for the cardiac myosin binding protein C (A31P) mutation.
• Echocardiographic signs of LVNC were first observed at two years of age.

Findings:

• The study documents the first definitively diagnosed case of LVNC in a non-human species.
• Echocardiographic findings included a 'moth-eaten' appearance of the left ventricle and prominent trabeculations.
• Pathological examination confirmed LVNC, with extensive noncompacted myocardium affecting both the left and right ventricles.

Implications:

• This case expands the known species affected by LVNC.
• It highlights the potential for LVNC to occur alongside or mimic HCM in susceptible breeds.
• Further research may elucidate the genetic and pathological links between LVNC and HCM in felines.