Signs of left heart volume overload in severely anaemic cats.

Anaemia induces haemodynamic compensatory mechanisms resulting in volume overload and increased left heart dimensions in humans and dogs. The aims of this retrospective study were to investigate the effects of anaemia on echocardiographic left heart dimensions, vertebral heart size (VHS) and radiographic evidence of congestive heart failure (CHF) in cats. Fifteen cats fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were classified as mildly anaemic (haematocrit (Hct)>18-24%) or severely anaemic (Hct≤18%).