Right coronary artery to left ventricle coronary cameral fistula in a cat

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Cardiology
• Comparative Cardiovascular Imaging
• Congenital Heart Disease in Animals

Background:

• Congenital heart anomalies are uncommon in domestic animals.
• Accurate diagnosis of complex cardiac lesions is crucial for appropriate management.
• Multimodal imaging plays a vital role in veterinary diagnostics.

Observation:

• A six-month-old domestic shorthair cat presented with a loud heart murmur.
• Transthoracic echocardiography showed left ventricular dilation due to abnormal blood flow.
• Multidetector computed tomography angiography identified a coronary cameral fistula.

Findings:

• The fistula originated from the right coronary artery.
• It encircled the heart and terminated into the left ventricular outflow tract.
• This represents the first documented case of a coronary cameral fistula in a feline patient.

Implications:

• This case highlights the importance of advanced imaging in diagnosing rare congenital cardiac defects.
• Understanding coronary cameral fistulas in cats can improve diagnostic strategies.
• Further research into the prevalence and clinical impact of such anomalies is warranted.