Cardiovascular changes in Persian cats with polycystic kidney disease: a study of cardiac troponin I, echocardiography and blood pressure.

Objectives: Cardiovascular complications are well known in humans with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (PKD), but limited data exist for cats. This study aimed to assess echocardiographic changes, cardiac troponin I (cTnI) levels and systolic blood pressure (SBP) in Persian cats with PKD to detect early cardiac abnormalities.

Methods: In total, 52 Persian and mixed-Persian cats were enrolled, with 26 cats in the control group and 26 diagnosed with PKD via ultrasound due to the unavailability of genetic testing. Although genetic testing is the gold standard for definitive diagnosis, this study utilised high-sensitivity ultrasound as an alternative diagnostic tool. This method aligns with existing literature supporting its effectiveness in detecting PKD, particularly in regions where genetic testing is not accessible. Echocardiographic examinations employed M-mode and two-dimensional echocardiography to measure the diastolic thickness of the interventricular septum and the left ventricular free wall. Doppler ultrasonography was used to measure SBP and cTnI serum levels were determined using a Monobind-ELISA kit.

Results: Median SBP and cTnI levels in PKD cats were 155 mmHg and 85.80 ng/l, respectively, which was significantly higher than the control group (P ⩽0.001). Interventricular septum in systole, as well as diastolic thickness of the interventricular septum and the left ventricular free wall, was significantly elevated in PKD cats compared with controls (P ⩽0.001). No significant differences were observed in other echocardiographic parameters.

Conclusions and relevance: Asymptomatic PKD-affected Persian cats exhibited elevated SBP and cardiac structural changes; however, the clinical significance of these findings remains uncertain due to a lack of long-term follow-up. While early cardiac changes may be present, further research is necessary to establish their clinical relevance and guide appropriate management strategies. Monitoring PKD cats is advised, but a direct clinical impact is not confirmed at this stage.