A Randomized Study Assessing the Effect of Diet in Cats with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND: Diet might influence progression of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether diet composition could alter clinical, biochemical, or echocardiographic variables in cats with HCM. ANIMALS: Twenty-nine cats with HCM (International Small Animal Cardiac Health Council stage 1b) examined at a university teaching hospital. METHODS: Randomized, placebo-controlled trial. After physical examination, echocardiogram, and blood collection, cats were randomized to 1 of 3 diets, which varied in carbohydrate and fat content and ingredients. Measurements were repeated after 6 months. RESULTS: There were no significant differences among the 3 groups at baseline. After 6 months, there were no significant changes in the primary endpoints, left ventricular free wall (Group A, P = .760; Group B, P = .475; Group C, P = .066) or interventricular septal thickness in diastole (Group A, P = .528; Group B, P = .221; Group C, P = .097). Group A had significant increases in BUN (P = .008) and cholesterol (P = .021), while Group B had significant increases in BUN (P = .008), cholesterol (P = .007), and triglycerides (P = .005), and significant decreases in NT-proBNP (P = .013) and hs-troponin I (P = .043). Group C had significant decreases in body weight (P = .021), left atrial dimension (P = .035), interventricular septal thickness in systole (P = .038), and liver enzymes (P = .034-.038). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: These data suggest that diet might influence some clinical, biochemical, and echocardiographic variables in cats with HCM.