Feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy - Bibliographic Review and Clinical Cases

Abstract

This paper presents a review of the literature on the most commonly observed cardiac disease in the cat. Feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (or HCM) is a primary heart muscle disease characterised by concentric left ventricular hypertrophy usually of unknown cause. The occurrence of mutations in certain genes raises the suspicion of a possible genetic origin in certain cat breeds. There is a wide variety of phenotypic manifestations and clinical pictures depending on the numerous particular features of its pathophysiology. There are a wide range of clinical signs related to feline HCM depending on the disease stage: from vague signs of malaise to severe respiratory signs (congestive heart failure) or pain (arterial thromboembolism). Although rare, cat owners should be aware of sudden death due to malignant ventricular arrhythmias. Many cats affected with HCM may remain asymptomatic. Echocardiography is widely recognised as the “gold standard” for diagnosing HCM, although other tests can help classify the disease and determine prognosis. Treatment of HCM focuses on reducing the effects of hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction. The choice of therapy will depend on the stage of the patient´s disease. Feline HCM closely resembles human HCM and is suggested as translational animal model for the human disease.