Valvular aortic stenosis in three cats

Publication date: Available online 28 June 2019Source: Journal of Veterinary CardiologyAuthor(s): Claire E. Watson, Jessie Rose Payne, Kieran BorgeatAbstractAortic stenosis affects 0.028% of cats in a shelter population, with valvular aortic stenosis compromising almost half of these cases. Of congenital heart diseases reported in cat, aortic stenosis is the second most common, affecting 17% of these cases. Existing literature on valvular aortic stenosis is scant and thus presentation and prognosis of affected animals is poorly understood. In this case series we describe three cats with confirmed valvular aortic stenosis. All cases were diagnosed echocardiographically and all three had visible aortic valve leaflet fusion and a post-stenotic dilation of the ascending aorta. Congestive heart failure developed in all three cases, and prognosis was poor. This case report highlights the existence of aortic valve dysplasia in cats and may allow clinicians a better understanding of the clinical presentation of this congenital abnormality.
Source: Journal of Veterinary Cardiology - Category: Veterinary Research Source Type: research