RISK ASSESSMENT OF DEATH IN CATS WITH CARDIOMYOPATHY IN CASE OF CARDIOGENIC PULMONARY EDEMA

Abstract

One of the most common causes of death in cats with cardiomyopathy is pulmonary edema. Different forms of feline cardiomyopathies can have a diverse clinical signs. The onset of clinical signs is often related to recent stressful situation such as visiting a clinic or transportation. It is unknown how to identify animals which are predisposing to pulmonary edema and death. The evaluation of literary data has confirmed that there are insufficient researches in this area. Also it is reliably unknown, which changes in clinical status or on ECHO could be markers of death in cats at cardiogenic pulmonary edema. This article is highlights the topic of estimation of risk assessment of death in cats in case of cardiogenic pulmonary edema. All types of cardiomyopathies were diagnosed in this study. We included cats whose owners addressed the clinic complaining of dyspnea and worsening of activity. An echocardiographic and radiological examination was performed in the clinic. The authors paid aƩention to the following markers: the degree of radiological changes in pulmonary parenchyma, data of clinical examinations, the degree of changes of left ventricular and the size of left atrium. It was found that main marker of death in cats at cardiogenic pulmonary edema is the left atrium to aorta more then 2,2. Severe changes in lung parenchyma on X-ray and decrease in left ventricular systolic function also increase the risk of cardiac death in acute heart failure. Left ventricular myocardial thickness and the presence of spontaneous contrast do not affect survival during the first days of hospitalization. Most likely, these changes have more impact on overall life expectancy

Keywords

• domestic cat
• hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
• restrictive cardiomyopathy
• interstitial pattern
• cardiogenic pulmonary edema