Evaluation of Maine Coon cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: clinical, echocardiographic, electrocardiographic, radiographic, laboratory and by 24 hours electrocardiographic monitoring (Holter)

Abstract

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the main cardiomyopathy of cats and is characterized by left ventricular hypertrophy without dilatation. Myocardial disease is a genetically and phenotypically heterogeneous, characterized by increased left ventricular mass, both by increasing the thickness of the wall as the histological derangement of myocytes and myofibrils. Reduction in miomesina and mutation in the gene encoding myosin binding protein C (MYBPC3) changes are found in Maine Coon cats with HCM, and this mutation is the primary cause of HCM in humans. Maine Coon HCM generally predisposed to develop the disease presenting manifestations of congestive heart failure or sudden death between 1,5 to 3 years of age. The diagnosis is made by conventional echocardiography, the detection of segmental or diffuse myocardial hypertrophy. In this study, Maine Coon cats genetically tested for the mutation will be assessed through examination electrocardiographic, echocardiographic (conventional and tissue-TDI), digital radiography, ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring 24 hours, blood pressure measurement and determination of cardiac markers (NT-proANP, NT-proBNP, Endothelin and Troponin - cTnl). The early detection of HCM before the development of hypertrophy, is of great interest, since the identification of affected cats allows their exclusion from breeding programs and can assist in the initiation of medical treatment to prevent the development of heart failure. TDI, Holter system and changes in cardiac markers before the development of detectable changes in conventional echocardiography may help in early diagnosis of disease, justifying the implementation of this work. (AU)