Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Clinical findings and coronary artery disease in dogs and cats with acute and subacute myocardial necrosis: 28 cases.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association
- Year:
- 2000
- Authors:
- Kidd, L et al.
- Affiliation:
- School of Veterinary Medicine · United States
Plain-English summary
In a study looking at dogs and cats diagnosed with acute or subacute myocardial necrosis (a type of heart tissue damage), researchers reviewed records from a university hospital over 4.5 years. They found that many animals showed signs that could be linked to heart issues, but these signs were often unclear because other health problems were also present. A common symptom was trouble breathing, which occurred in 61% of the cases, sometimes even when there were only minor lung issues. Blood tests showed high levels of certain enzymes, indicating heart damage, in all tested animals. The study noted that in cases where a blood clot in the coronary artery was found, there were other related health issues present. Overall, the findings highlight the complexity of diagnosing heart problems in pets, especially when multiple health issues are involved.
Abstract
Records of final diagnoses based on necropsies performed on dogs and cats over a 4.5-year period at a university teaching hospital were examined for the diagnosis of acute or subacute myocardial necrosis. Clinical findings signaling the occurrence of myocardial necrosis were often not specific, due to simultaneously occurring disease processes. However, of 28 animals identified, dyspnea occurred frequently (17/28; 61%) and in some cases in the presence of minimal pulmonary pathology (2/3; 66%) or otherwise unexplained pulmonary edema (4/4; 100%). Elevations in serum aspartate aminotransferase (10/10; 100%) and creatine kinase (5/9; 55%) were also frequent. Disease processes associated with thrombus formation were present for each case in which a coronary artery thrombus occurred (5/28; 18%).
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10825090/