Other forms of cardiomyopathy

Question 1

What are the characteristics of Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy

Answer 1

ARVC is characterized by replacement of the myocardium of the right ventricle with fibrous and/or fatty tissue
- the left side may also become involved in advanced cases
- this leads to marked ventricular wall thinning

Question 2

What is the supposed pathomechanism leading to ARVC

Answer 2

It is supposed that it may be initiated by an inflammatory condition, which then leads to secondary deposition of fibrofatty tissue as an end-stage process

Question 3

What is the typical clinical presentation of cats with ARVC

Answer 3

Cats with this disease may present with:
- arrhythmias
- and/or signs of right-sided congestive heart failure (i.e., pleural, pericardial, and/or peritoneal effusions, jugular venous distension, peripheral edema)

Question 4

What are the echocardiographic changes seen in ARVC

Answer 4

The echocardiographic changes usually consist of marked RA and RV dilatation

Question 5

What is the prognosis for cats with ARVC

Answer 5

The prognosis is very poor

Ventricular tachycardia likely predisposes a cat with ARVC to sudden death
- sotalol (10-20 mg/cat, PO, q12h) may be indicated