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Restrictive Cardiomyopathy - Feline Cardiomyopathies (view source)
Revision as of 17:03, 2 December 2012
, 17:03, 2 December 2012→Clinical Signs
==Clinical Signs==
==Clinical Signs==
The clinical presentation of cats with RCM, as with other cardiomyopathies, is extremely variable. There may be a long preclinical phase during which the cat remains asymptomatic. Early signs of cardiac dysfunction, such as exercise intolerance, often goes undetected in cats due to their sedentery nature. Cats with RCM are rarely identified in the asymptomatic phase. Cats with RCM frequently develop congestive heart failure (CHF), arterial thromboembolism (ATE) and are predisposed to arrhythmias.
The clinical presentation of cats with RCM, as with other cardiomyopathies, is extremely variable. There may be a long preclinical phase during which the cat remains asymptomatic. Early signs of cardiac dysfunction, such as exercise intolerance, often goes undetected in cats due to their sedentery nature. Cats with RCM are rarely identified in the asymptomatic phase. Cats with RCM frequently develop congestive heart failure (CHF), arterial thromboembolism (ATE) and are predisposed to arrhythmias.
===Signalment===
Most cats are middle-aged to older, but RCM has been documented in cats aged 6 months to 19 years. There may be a breed predisposition towards the endomyocardial form (eRCM) in Oriental cats, particularly Siamese, however further studies are required to confirm this.
===Physical Examination===
===Physical Examination===
* May be completely normal
* May be completely normal
* Signs of congestive heart failure
* Signs of congestive heart failure
* Arterial thromboembolism (ATE)
* Arterial thromboembolism (ATE)
====Left-sided Congestive Heart Failure====
====Left-sided Congestive Heart Failure====
*Dyspnoea, tachypnoea, crackles (pulmonary oedema)
*Dyspnoea, tachypnoea, crackles (pulmonary oedema)
*Dyspnoea, restrictive pattern (fast,shallow breathing), muffled heart and ventral lung sounds (pleural effusion)
*Dyspnoea, restrictive pattern (fast,shallow breathing), muffled heart and ventral lung sounds (pleural effusion)
====Right-sided Congestive Heart Failure====
====Right-sided Congestive Heart Failure====
* Jugular pulse
* Jugular pulse
* Hepatojugular reflux
* Hepatojugular reflux
* Occasionally ascites
* Occasionally ascites
====Arterial Thromboembolism====
====Arterial Thromboembolism====
The enlarged left atrium, stasis of blood within the left atrium, and reduced atrial function predispose to thrombus formation, and emboli may result. Typically these cases present with paresis or paralysis of one or both rear limbs due to occlusion at the aorta-iliac trifurcation. In some cases, emboli can involve other areas and can cause complex neurological manifestations, forelimb paralysis or acute renal ischemia.
The enlarged left atrium, stasis of blood within the left atrium, and reduced atrial function predispose to thrombus formation, and emboli may result. Typically these cases present with paresis or paralysis of one or both rear limbs due to occlusion at the aorta-iliac trifurcation. In some cases, emboli can involve other areas and can cause complex neurological manifestations, forelimb paralysis or acute renal ischemia.