Key result
Cats with ventricular pre-excitation had larger left and right atria (P<0.001) and thicker left ventricular walls than healthy controls, with a median survival of 1882 days.
Why the study?
Atrioventricular accessory pathways predispose to ventricular pre-excitation and tachycardias, but clinical and outcome data in cats remain limited.
Case-Control (n=32)
Yes
Cats with ventricular pre-excitation exhibit structural cardiac changes including larger atria and thicker ventricular walls compared to healthy controls, but generally have a relatively long survival.
VPE in cats linked to long survival despite atrial enlargement and LV hypertrophy; leaves open optimal management and progression risks.
OBJECTIVES: Atrioventricular accessory pathways are abnormal electrical connections between the atria and ventricles that predispose to ventricular pre-excitation (VPE) and tachycardias. ANIMALS: Seventeen cats with VPE and 15 healthy matched-control cats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Multicenter case-control retrospective study. Clinical records were searched for cats with VPE, defined as preserved atrioventricular synchrony, reduced PQ interval, and increased QRS complex duration with a delta wave. Clinical, electrocardiography, echocardiographic, and outcome data were collated. RESULTS: Most cats with VPE were male (16/17 cats), non-pedigree cats (11/17 cats). Median age and mean body weight were 5.4 years (0.3-11.9 years) and 4.6 ± 0.8 kg, respectively. Clinical signs at presentation included lethargy (10/17 cats), tachypnea (6/17 cats), and/or syncope (3/17 cats). In two cats, VPE was an incidental finding. Congestive heart failure was uncommon (3/17 cats). Nine (9/17) cats had tachyarrhythmias: 7/9 cats had narrow QRS complex tachycardia and 2/9 cats had wide QRS complex tachycardia. Four cats had ventricular arrhythmias. Cats with VPE had larger left (P < 0.001) and right (P < 0.001) atria and thicker interventricular septum (P = 0.019) and left ventricular free wall (P = 0.028) than controls. Three cats had hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Treatment included different combinations of sotalol (5/17 cats), diltiazem (5/17 cats), atenolol (4/17 cats), furosemide (4/17 cats), and platelet inhibitors (4/17 cats). Five cats died, all from cardiac death (median survival time 1882 days [2-1882 days]). CONCLUSIONS: Cats with VPE had a relatively long survival, albeit showing larger atria and thicker left ventricular walls than healthy cats.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Sidler et al. (2023) conducted a case-control in Ventricular pre-excitation (n=32). Ventricular pre-excitation vs. Healthy matched controls was evaluated on Echocardiographic parameters (atrial size and ventricular wall thickness) (p=<0.001). Cats with ventricular pre-excitation had larger left and right atria (P<0.001) and thicker left ventricular walls than healthy controls, with a median survival of 1882 days.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: