Echocardiographic measurements of apparently Healthy Persian cats

Background:The objective of this study is to determine normal values for 2-Dimension (2D) and Motion-mode (M-mode) echocardiographic parameters in apparently healthy Persian cats. Apparently normal cats should be screened for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Aim: This study has two aims, first, to determine the normal M-mode and 2D echocardiographic measurements in Persian cats obtained from right lateral recumbent position and express the relation of these measurements with gender, age and body weight. Second, to study the prevalence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in Persian cats. Materials and Methods: Seventy eight (78) apparently healthy Persian cats, weighing between 2 and 5 kg, age range (2 to 14) years and of both sexes were enrolled in this study. Cats were subjected to M-mode echocardiography. Measurements from the right parasternal longitudinal axis left ventricular outflow tract view of the heart. Left ventricular internal dimension, interventricular septal thickness and left ventricular posterior wall thickness during diastole and systole, left atrial diameter, aortic root diameter, left ventricular systolic functional parameters, and indices were all measured. Left ventricular hypertrophy was identified when posterior wall during end of diastole ≥ 6 mm. So a separated group was made for Persian cats whose Posterior wall during diastole ≥ 6 mm to detect the apparently healthy Persian cats with Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Results: Gender showed statistically significant on heart rate (p=0.002). Age has statistical significant on left ventricle posterior wall during diastole. Body weight has statistical significance on left ventricle posterior wall during systole. Gender, age and weight have no effect on left ventricle internal diameter during systole and diastole, interventricular septum during systole and diastole, Left atrium and aorta. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is identified in 12 (15.3%) of the 78 examined cats. Conclusion: Gender has no effect on echocardiographic measurements except Heart rate is higher in females than in males, posterior wall during diastole increase by increasing age and posterior wall during systole increase by increasing body weight. Apparently normal cats should be screened for HCM.