title: Retrospective evaluation of the incidence and prognostic significance of spontaneous echocardiographic contrast in relation to cardiac disease and congestive heart failure in cats: 725 cases (2006-2011).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether the presence of spontaneous echocardiographic contrast (SEC) in cats with cardiomyopathy is associated with increased mortality. To establish whether specific types of cardiomyopathy are more often associated with SEC in an attempt to provide a risk-stratification scheme for cats with increased risk of thromboembolic events.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective study 2006-2011.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary referral and teaching hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven hundred twenty-five client-owned cats undergoing echocardiographic evaluation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patient characteristics, including age, breed, clinical signs, type of cardiovascular disease, presence of SEC, and survival time were recorded. Thyroxine, HCT, and blood pressure were recorded when available. Among cats diagnosed with cardiac abnormalities based on echocardiographic findings, those with SEC were at significantly increased risk of death as compared to those without SEC. Cats with dilated cardiomyopathy, unclassified cardiomyopathy, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy were significantly more likely to have SEC compared to cats with other types of cardiac disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cats with cardiomyopathy and SEC have an increased risk of death compared to cats without SEC, although other previously identified factors such as the presence of congestive heart failure and increased left atrium to aorta ratio remain important determinants of mortality. Cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, unclassified cardiomyopathy, and dilated cardiomyopathy may benefit from anticoagulant therapy due to the increased risk of SEC in these subpopulations.
authors.affiliation: Angell Animal Medical Center Emergency and Critical Care Department, Institute for Clinical Research and Health Policy Studies and Tufts Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Boston, MA, 02130. cpeck@mspca.org.
authors.forename: Courtney M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Peck
authors.affiliation: SAGE Centers for Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Care, Campbell, CA, 95008.
authors.forename: Lindsey K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Department, Institute for Clinical Research and Health Policy Studies and Tufts Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Boston, MA, 02130.
authors.forename: Rebecca L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Quinn
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Department, Institute for Clinical Research and Health Policy Studies and Tufts Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Boston, MA, 02130.
authors.forename: Nancy J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Laste
authors.affiliation: Biostatistics Research Center, Institute for Clinical Research and Health Policy Studies and Tufts Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Boston, MA, 02130.
authors.forename: Lori Lyn
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Price
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D002312:Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D002415:Cats; D003287:Contrast Media; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008404:Massachusetts / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media
keywords: cardiomyopathy; echocardiography; feline; thromboembolism