Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Atrial fibrillation in 50 cats: symptoms and outcomes
By Côté, Etienne et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2004·Angell Memorial Animal Hospital, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Atrial fibrillation in cats: 50 cases (1979-2002).
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of 50 cats with atrial fibrillation (AF), a heart condition that can cause breathing problems, lethargy, and even blood clots, was studied to understand their symptoms and outcomes. Most of these cats were older males, and many had underlying heart diseases that contributed to their condition. Some cats showed signs of heart failure, while others were diagnosed incidentally during check-ups. The average survival time after diagnosis was about 165 days, but some cats lived for over a year with proper management. Treatment often focused on addressing the underlying heart issues and monitoring their condition closely.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine signalment, clinical signs, diagnostic findings, treatment, and outcome for cats with atrial fibrillation (AF). DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 50 cats. PROCEDURE: Medical records of cats that met criteria for a diagnosis of AF (ECG consisting of at least 2 leads, clear absence of P waves, supraventricular rhythm, and convincingly irregularly irregular rhythm) and had undergone echocardiography were reviewed. RESULTS: There were 41 males (37 castrated) and 9 females (7 spayed). Forty-one were of mixed breeding; 9 were purebred. Mean +/- SD age was 10.2 +/- 3.7 years. The most common chief complaints were dyspnea, aortic thromboembolism, and lethargy. In 11 cats, AF was an incidental finding. Mean +/- SD ventricular rate was 223 +/- 36 beats/min. The most common echocardiographic abnormalities were restrictive or unclassified cardiomyopathy (n = 19), concentric left ventricular hypertrophy (18), and dilated cardiomyopathy (6). Mean +/- SD left atrial-to-aortic diameter ratio (n = 39) was 2.55 +/- 0.80. The most common thoracic radiographic findings were cardiomegaly, pleural effusion, and pulmonary edema. Median survival time (n = 24) was 165 days (range, 0 to 1,095 days). Eight of 24 cats lived for > or = 1 year after a diagnosis of AF was made. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that AF occurs primarily in older adult male cats with structural heart disease severe enough to lead to atrial enlargement. Atrial fibrillation in these cats was most commonly first detected when signs of decompensated cardiac disease were evident, but also was commonly identified as an incidental finding.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15323383/