Measurement of M-mode echocardiographic parameters in healthy adult Maine Coon cats.
OBJECTIVE
To determine reference values for M-mode echocardiographic parameters in nonsedated healthy adult Maine Coon cats and compare those values with data reported for nonsedated healthy adult domestic cats.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
105 healthy adult Maine Coon cats.


METHODS
Over a 3-year period, M-mode echocardiographic examinations (involving a standard right parasternal transthoracic technique) were performed on Maine Coon cats as part of prebreeding evaluations; values of M-mode parameters in healthy individuals were collected, and mean values were calculated for comparison with those reported for healthy adult domestic cats.


RESULTS
The mean +/- SD weight of Maine Coon cats was significantly greater than that of domestic cats. Mean values of left ventricular internal dimension at end diastole and end systole (LVIDd and LVIDs, respectively), interventricular septal thickness at end systole (IVSs), left ventricular posterior wall thickness at end systole (LVPWs), left atrial dimension at end systole (LADs), and aortic root dimension (Ao) in Maine Coon cats differed significantly from values in healthy domestic cats. The greatest differences detected between the 2 groups involved values of LVIDd, LADs, and Ao. Linear regression analysis revealed a weak but significant correlation between weight and each of LVIDd, LVPWs, IVSs, Ao, LADs, and left ventricular posterior wall thickness at end diastole.


CONCLUSIONS
Values of several M-mode echocardiographic parameters in Maine Coon cats differ from those reported for domestic cats; these differences should be considered during interpretation of echocardiographic findings to distinguish between cardiac health and disease in this breed.
Drourr
Lori
L
Chesapeake Veterinary Cardiology Associates, 416 Maple Ave W, Vienna, VA 22180, USA.
Lefbom
Bonnie K
BK
Rosenthal
Steven L
SL
Tyrrell
William D
WD
D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D001947:Breeding; D002415:Cats / Q000502:physiology*; D003971:Diastole; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012015:Reference Standards; D012016:Reference Values; D013599:Systole