Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Echocardiography use in cats with and without kidney infarction signs
By Gibson, Scott D et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2025·Department of Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Diagnostic Value of Echocardiography in Cats With and Without Ultrasonographic Evidence of Renal Infarction.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A study looked at 826 cats to see if those with kidney issues (renal infarction) also had heart problems. It found that about 63% of cats with kidney issues had detectable heart disease, compared to 46% of those without kidney issues. Factors like older age, high blood pressure, and certain heart sounds were linked to a higher risk of kidney problems. The researchers suggest that cats with kidney issues should be checked for heart disease using echocardiography (an ultrasound of the heart) since many had hidden heart problems.
People also search for: cat kidney problems heart disease · echocardiogram for cats · signs of heart disease in cats
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Revisiting the association between heart disease and renal infarction (RI) in cats is relevant to determine whether those with RI should undergo echocardiographic screening. OBJECTIVE: Compare the relative frequency of echocardiographically detectable heart disease and other comorbidities in cats with and without ultrasonographic evidence of RI. ANIMALS: A total of 826 cats that underwent concurrent abdominal ultrasonography and transthoracic echocardiography and were assigned a cardiac diagnosis. METHODS: Two-center cross-sectional study with a study population recruitment period from January 1, 2011 to June 15, 2021. Demographic, clinical, clinicopathologic, and ultrasonographic data were recorded. Available echocardiographic images were reviewed to assign a standardized cardiac diagnosis. Occult heart disease was defined as structural heart disease without clinical signs of congestive heart failure. Risk factors for RI were evaluated by univariable or multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: The relative frequency of structural heart disease in cats with and without RI was 63% (114/181) and 46% (297/645), respectively (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.6; 1.2-2.3). Older age (p = 0.03), higher maximum end-diastolic left ventricular wall thickness (p = 0.02), higher systolic blood pressure (p = 0.02), auscultable cardiac abnormalities other than murmur (p = 0.04), and diagnosis of acute kidney injury (p = 0.002), chronic kidney disease (p = 0.005), and occult heart disease (OR [95% CI], 2.4 [1.7-3.4]; p ≤ 0.001) were associated with increased risk of RI. Strength and statistical significance of associations varied by site. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Occult heart disease is more frequent in cats with RI, and echocardiographic screening of these cats should be considered.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40275464/