Case Study

Normal Echocardiogram with a Flow Murmur in a 4 year old cat, Negative Screening for HCM

A 4-year-old SF Himalayan was presented for evaluation of recent onset of a murmur. Additional history was that siblings had died from HCM.

A 4-year-old SF Himalayan was presented for evaluation of recent onset of a murmur. Additional history was that siblings had died from HCM.

Sonographic Differential Diagnosis

I cannot see any sign of HCM in this cat. The heart murmur heard is most likely dynamic in its origin, probably caused by dynamic obstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract (considered normal in cats). Because of the history I would scan the cat every 1 to 2 years.

Image Interpretation

I see a normal left ventricle and atrium, normal mitral valve leaflets, a normal right ventricle and atrium. I cannot see any hypertrophy in this heart. Myocardial echotexture and the endocardial border are normal, no sign of fibrosis or excessive moderator bands. CDI across all valves is normal, no sign of turbulence or regurgitation. I cannot see SAM. Flow profiles across RVOT and LVOT are normal in terms of shape and velocity.

DX

Negative for HCV, dynamic murmur

Outcome

None

Clinical Differential Diagnosis

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy, systemic hypertension, valve disease (endocardiosis, vegetative endocarditis), anemia, physiological