Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Balloon angioplasty treats lung artery narrowing in two cats
By Schrope, Donald P et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary cardiology : the official journal of the European Society of Veterinary Cardiology·2017·Oradell Animal Hospital, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Successful balloon angioplasty of pulmonary artery stenosis in two cats and associated complications.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
Two young cats, one 2.5 months old and the other 8 months old, were brought to the vet because they had a loud heart murmur. They were diagnosed with severe pulmonary artery stenosis, which is a narrowing of the artery that can cause heart problems. Both cats underwent a procedure called balloon angioplasty to widen the artery, which successfully reduced the pressure in their hearts. However, one cat had some complications afterward, including lung issues that were treated successfully with medication. Over the next four years, follow-up exams showed that the first cat's heart condition improved significantly.
People also search for: cat heart murmur treatment · pulmonary artery stenosis in cats · balloon angioplasty for cats · cat heart problems symptoms
Abstract
Two cats (2.5 months and 8 months old) were each evaluated due to a loud systolic murmur, and each was diagnosed with severe pulmonary artery stenosis at the bifurcation of the main pulmonary artery. Echocardiograms confirmed significant right atrial dilation and right ventricular dilation and/or hypertrophy that was progressive in one cat. Atenolol was initiated and the cats were referred for interventional therapy. Balloon angioplasty was performed via the jugular vein. In case 1, the pressure gradient across the stenosis was reduced from 169.7 mmHg to 23.6 mmHg and 52.4 mmHg across the left and right branch pulmonary arteries, respectively. In case 2, the stenotic echocardiographic gradient was reduced from 64 mmHg to 38.0 mmHg and 35.3 mmHg across the left branch and right-branched pulmonary arteries respectively. Both patients developed moderate to severe dynamic right ventricular outflow tract obstruction post angioplasty. Case 2 developed hypotension, desaturation, and ventricular arrhythmias intra-operatively. Case 1 was discharged but appeared to develop acute lung perfusion injury approximately 36 h after procedure that was manifested by radiographic pulmonary congestion and pulmonary infiltrate of the left lung fields. The congestion was successfully managed medically. Serial echocardiograms over the following 4 years in case 1 showed near complete resolution of the stenosis and associated right heart enlargement.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29089263/