Aortic dissection in four cats: clinicopathological correlations

We describe a series of 4 cats with AD of the ascending aorta and moderate aortic insufficiency. Three cats had an acute onset of clinical signs with pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade, while one cat showed a chronic onset without pericardial effusion. Detailed gross and histopathological characterization is available for two cats, which revealed the typical features of AD. One cat also showed connective tissue abnormalities microscopically resembling Marfan-like syndrome. Concomitant detection of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in 2 cats represents a novel finding in the veterinary literature. Feline aortic dissection is generally associated with systemic hypertension. In all the cats of this case series, blood pressure was normal at presentation, although systemic hypertension before the acute dissection cannot be ruled out. In humans, hypotension is more common with AD of the ascending aorta, so the anatomical location could also play a role in cats. HCM in cats could have been a potential trigger of AD through shear stress. Transthoracic echocardiography, as herein demonstrated, can be considered a rapid, non-invasive and useful method for the diagnosis of dissection at the level of the ascending aorta.
Source: Journal of Veterinary Cardiology - Category: Veterinary Research Source Type: research