Successful balloon angioplasty of pulmonary artery stenosis in two cats and associated complications.

Two cats (2.5 months and 8 months old) were each evaluated due to a loud systolic murmur, and each was diagnosed with severe pulmonary artery stenosis at the bifurcation of the main pulmonary artery. Echocardiograms confirmed significant right atrial dilation and right ventricular dilation and/or hypertrophy that was progressive in one cat.

Prevalence of congenital heart disease in 76,301 mixed-breed dogs and 57,025 mixed-breed cats.

Objective: Assess the prevalence of congenital heart disease (CHD) in a large population of mixed-breed dogs and cats.

Animals: 76,301 mixed-breed dogs and 57,025 mixed-breed cats.

Methods: Retrospective review of records and examinations based on specified diagnostic criteria.

Cardiac involvement secondary to mediastinal lymphoma in a cat: regression with chemotherapy.

Mediastinal lymphoma with neoplastic invasion into the heart was diagnosed in a 9-year-old castrated male domestic short hair cat. The neoplastic infiltrate was seen throughout the atria and atrial septum, surrounded the aortic root, and resulted in narrowing of the right ventricular outflow tract. Chemotherapy resulted in resolution of the echocardiographic abnormalities and the cat's clinical signs until the patient was euthanized 58 days later following development of neurologic signs.

Atrioventricular septal defects: natural history, echocardiographic, electrocardiographic, and radiographic findings in 26 cats.

Objectives: To evaluate signalment, echocardiographic, electrocardiographic, and radiographic findings as well as natural history in a group of cats with atrioventricular septal defects (AVSD).

Animals: 26 client owned cats.

Methods: Medical records were reviewed retrospectively for signalment, morphologic type of AVSD, presence of concurrent congenital heart disease (ConcCHD), diagnostic findings, and natural history.

Hepatic vein stenosis (Budd-Chiari syndrome) as a cause of ascites in a cat.

A 10-year-old cat presented with a history of unexplained ascites. Ultrasound and angiography identified an isolated stenosis of the middle hepatic vein resulting in Budd-Chiari Syndrome. Balloon dilation of the stenosis was attempted but the patient expired.

Primary pulmonic infundibular stenosis in 12 cats: natural history and the effects of balloon valvuloplasty.

Objectives: To evaluate the natural history of primary pulmonic infundibular stenosis in cats and the effects of balloon valvuloplasty.

Background: Primary pulmonic infundibular stenosis is an uncommon congenital defect in cats. The natural history of the disease has not been described.

Clinical and echocardiographic findings of pulmonary artery stenosis in seven cats.

Objectives: Describe the clinical, electrocardiographic (ECG), radiographic and echocardiographic findings in cats with isolated pulmonary artery stenosis. Assess the usefulness of systolic and diastolic Doppler measurements at predicting stenosis severity.

Background: Pulmonary artery stenosis is an infrequent congenital cardiac defect in humans that has not been reported in cats.

Signalment, clinical signs, and prognostic indicators associated with high-grade second- or third-degree atrioventricular block in dogs: 124 cases (January 1, 1997-December 31, 1997).

Objective: To evaluate signalment, clinical signs, and prognosis associated with high-grade second- or third-degree atrioventricular block (AVB) in dogs.

Design: Retrospective case series.

Animals: 124 dogs.

Balloon valvuloplasty of valvular pulmonic stenosis in the dog.

Balloon valvuloplasty has become the accepted method of therapy for the majority of dogs with valvular pulmonic stenosis. Success rate of balloon valvuloplasty is excellent but the procedure can have a steep learning curve. An understanding of the equipment used and specifics of the procedure is important to maximize success and minimize risk.