Case Study

Mild left atrial enlargement, possible mitral valve dysplasia, and chylothorax in a 3 year old FS DSH cat

A 3-year-old FS DSH cat was presented for evaluation of chylous effusion with secondary atelectasis.

A 3-year-old FS DSH cat was presented for evaluation of chylous effusion with secondary atelectasis.

DX

Mild left atrial enlargement possibly due to mitral dysplasia/stenosis.

Sonographic Differential Diagnosis

Mild left atrial enlargement possibly due to mitral dysplasia/stenosis. Unclassified cardiomyopathy (UCM) cannot be ruled out. The heart problem could contribute to the chylothorax described even though it does not totally explain it because left atrial enlargement is mild (to moderate) thus having additional buffer capacity.

Image Interpretation

There is an obvious pleural effusion present. There is a normal left ventricle, an enlarged left atrium and a normal right ventricle and atrium. The mitral valve is tethered from the left apical view. It is possible that there is valvular dysplasia not allowing appropriate opening of the leaflets. The fact that the left ventricular relaxation seems to be decelerated supports this.

Comments

ACEI and Furosemide (at a dosage of 1mg/kg twice daily) is recommended.

Clinical Differential Diagnosis

Cardiac – hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, mitral valve dysplasia/degeneration, left atrial embolism, pericardial effusion. Thoracic pathology – mesothelioma, thoracic duct trauma. Lung lobe torsion.