Cardiovascular images: parachute mitral valve in a cat

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Cardiology
• Comparative Medicine
• Canine and Feline Medicine

Background:

• Congenital heart defects are common in domestic animals.
• Ventricular septal defects (VSDs) can lead to significant hemodynamic alterations and heart failure.
• Early diagnosis and management are crucial for improving outcomes in affected animals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a case of a large, left-to-right shunting VSD in a young cat.
• To describe the echocardiographic findings and clinical presentation of the VSD.
• To document the palliative treatment and subsequent cardiac changes, including mitral valve dysplasia.

Main Methods:

• Echocardiography was used for initial diagnosis and follow-up assessments.
• The cat underwent palliative pulmonary artery banding.
• Serial echocardiograms were performed to monitor cardiac status.

Main Results:

• A large VSD with left-to-right shunting was identified, causing severe left heart volume overload.
• Signs of left-sided congestive heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, and tricuspid regurgitation were present.
• Post-pulmonary artery banding, mitral valve dysplasia with a parachute mitral valve was diagnosed.

Conclusions:

• Large VSDs in cats can lead to severe cardiac complications and congestive heart failure.
• Pulmonary artery banding can serve as a palliative treatment for VSDs.
• Mitral valve dysplasia, including parachute mitral valve, can be a concurrent or secondary finding in complex congenital heart disease.