Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Right-sided heart failure and arrhythmia in two cats with ARVC
By Harvey, A M et al.·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2005·University of Bristol, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy in two cats.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
Two cats were diagnosed with a serious heart condition called arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), which can lead to heart failure and sudden death. One of the cats had fainting episodes, and both showed signs of heart problems on tests, including abnormal heart rhythms and enlarged heart chambers. Unfortunately, one cat survived only three days after diagnosis, while the other lived for 16 days. The condition involves the heart muscle being replaced by fat and fibrous tissue, which affects its ability to pump blood effectively.
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Abstract
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a disease characterised by infiltration of the myocardium by adipose and fibrous tissue. The disease is an important cause of sudden death in humans, but has rarely been described in animals. This report describes ARVC in two cats with right-sided congestive heart failure. One cat had also experienced previous episodes of syncope. Standard six-lead and 24-hour (Holter) electrocardiogram recording revealed complete atrioventricular block and multiform ventricular ectopics in both cats, with the addition of ventricular tachycardia, ventricular bigeminy and R-on-T phenomenon in one of them. On echocardiography, the right ventricle and atrium were massively dilated and hypokinetic. The survival times of the cats were three days and 16 days following diagnosis. Histopathology in one case revealed fibro-fatty infiltration of the myocardium, predominantly affecting the right ventricular free wall.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15789811/