title: Pregnancy-associated congestive heart failure in a cat.
abstract: A 4-year-old, late-term pregnant Himalayan queen was diagnosed with biventricular congestive heart failure characterized by pleural effusion and pulmonary edema. A cesarean section was performed, resulting in the birth of four live kittens, with one surviving to discharge. Congestive heart failure resolved rapidly following surgery. The queen remained asymptomatic for 9 years postoperatively. Volume expansion secondary to pregnancy was thought to result in cardiovascular volume overload and subsequent congestive heart failure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, 200 Westboro Road, North Grafton, Massachusetts 01536, USA.
authors.forename: Anne E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Stoneham
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Graham
authors.forename: Elizabeth A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Rozanski
authors.forename: John Edward
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Rush
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D002415:Cats; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D007044:Hysterectomy / Q000662:veterinary; D010052:Ovariectomy / Q000662:veterinary; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography