Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 15, 2025
03:45
Investigating the Pathogenesis of MYH7 Mutation Gly823Glu in Familial Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy using a Mouse Model
Published on: August 8, 2022
3.8K
The Feline Cardiomyopathies: 3. Cardiomyopathies other than HCM
Mark D Kittleson1, Etienne Côté2
1School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, University of California, Davis, and Veterinary Information Network, 777 West Covell Boulevard, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery
|October 25, 2021
Summary
Feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is common, but other cardiomyopathies like dilated (DCM) and restrictive (RCM) are recognized. Echocardiography is key for diagnosis, though treatment often remains similar across feline cardiomyopathy types.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Cardiology
- Feline Medicine
- Cardiovascular Research
Background:
- Feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common cardiac disease in cats.
- Other cardiomyopathies, including dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM), arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC), and cardiomyopathy - nonspecific phenotype (NCM), are also recognized in domestic cats.
- These less common cardiomyopathies are often diagnosed late, typically when cats present with heart failure or thromboembolic disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the recognition, diagnosis, and management of non-HCM cardiomyopathies in domestic cats.
- To highlight the diagnostic role of echocardiography in differentiating feline cardiomyopathies.
- To discuss the clinical presentation and treatment similarities among various feline cardiomyopathy types.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on feline cardiomyopathies.
- Echocardiographic findings for different cardiomyopathy types (RCM, DCM, ARVC, LVNC, NCM).
- Comparison of clinical presentations and treatment strategies for HCM and other feline cardiomyopathies.
Main Results:
- Non-HCM cardiomyopathies are rarely suspected in subclinical cats and are often identified during advanced disease stages.
- Echocardiography is the definitive diagnostic tool for confirming feline cardiomyopathies.
- While distinct echocardiographic criteria exist for RCM, DCM, ARVC, and LVNC, the nonspecific phenotype (NCM) encompasses cases not fitting specific criteria or meeting multiple criteria.
- Treatment for heart failure, thromboembolism, and other consequences is generally consistent across different feline cardiomyopathy diagnoses.
Conclusions:
- The clinical and radiographic signs of feline cardiomyopathies can be indistinguishable from HCM.
- Echocardiography is crucial for ante-mortem diagnosis, but distinguishing between types is not always essential for guiding therapy due to similar prognoses and treatments.
- Further research into interrelationships among feline cardiomyopathies may offer critical insights for future treatment and prognosis.
Keywords:
Cardiomyopathiesarrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathydilated cardiomyopathyechocardiographyleft ventricular noncompactionmyocardial diseasesrestrictive cardiomyopathyMore Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:25Cardiomyopathy I: Introduction and Classification
123
Cardiomyopathy, or CMP, is a group of diseases affecting the myocardial structure, impairing its ability to pump blood effectively. This condition can lead to arrhythmias, heart failure, or sudden cardiac death.Cardiomyopathies are classified into primary and secondary categories:Primary Cardiomyopathy refers to conditions involving only the heart muscle that are often idiopathic (of unknown cause) or genetic. They primarily affect the myocardium without the involvement of other systemic...
123
01:29Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
94
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by asymmetric left ventricular hypertrophy without ventricular dilation. It is more common in men and is typically diagnosed in young, athletic adults.EtiologyHCM is primarily genetic and is caused by mutations in genes encoding sarcomeric proteins. Researchers have identified over 1400 mutations across at least 11 different genes. Among these, the most frequently occurring mutations are found in the...
94
01:29Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy
105
Restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) is a rare heart muscle disease characterized by impaired ventricular filling due to stiffened ventricular walls, leading to significant diastolic dysfunction.EtiologyRestrictive cardiomyopathy can arise from both inherited and acquired diseases, many of which are systemic. It is categorized into four main types: infiltrative, storage, non-infiltrative, and endomyocardial diseases.Infiltrative diseases, such as amyloidosis, lead to RCM by depositing amyloid...
105
01:30Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy
73
Dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, is a progressive myocardial disorder characterized by ventricular chamber dilation and contractile dysfunction.EtiologyVarious factors can cause DCM, including hypertension and heavy alcohol intake, which contribute to the weakening and enlargement of the heart muscle. Viral infections, such as Coxsackievirus B, adenoviruses, and influenza, can lead to DCM by causing inflammation and damage to heart tissue. Certain chemotherapeutic agents, including daunorubicin,...
73
01:29Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care
65
Managing cardiomyopathy involves addressing underlying or precipitating causes, treating heart failure with medications, and implementing dietary changes and a balanced exercise and rest regimen.Lifestyle ModificationsCardiomyopathy patients should adopt a low-sodium diet to reduce fluid retention and manage heart failure. A personalized exercise and rest plan helps maintain physical fitness without overstraining the heart. Avoiding alcohol and tobacco is essential to prevent further damage to...
65
01:29Cardiomyopathy VI: Nursing Management
76
Assessment: Nursing management of patients with cardiomyopathy begins with a thorough assessment of the patient's history, including a family history of cardiomyopathy or sudden cardiac death, personal history of heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and any alcohol consumption or drug use.During the physical examination, assess vital signs, look for signs of heart failure (such as edema, jugular venous distention, and cyanosis), auscultate for abnormal heart sounds (like murmurs and gallops),...
76