AGE-RELATED-CHANGES IN THE FELINE CARDIAC SILHOUETTE

Citation
Ml. Moon et al., AGE-RELATED-CHANGES IN THE FELINE CARDIAC SILHOUETTE, Veterinary radiology & ultrasound, 34(5), 1993, pp. 315-320
Citations number
20
Categorie Soggetti
Veterinary Sciences
ISSN journal
10588183
Volume
34
Issue
5
Year of publication
1993
Pages
315 - 320
Database
ISI
SICI code
1058-8183(1993)34:5<315:AITFCS>2.0.ZU;2-7
Abstract
An exaggerated ''horizontal'' alignment of the heart (increased sterna l contact) and tortuous, redundant aorta are often seen on thoracic ra diographs of older cats. Eighty-five cats, divided into 3 age groups [ young (6-15 months), middle aged (3-7 years), old (10-17 years)], were determined to be normal on history, auscultation, ECG, and echocardio gram. Lateral and VD thoracic radiographs were examined and measured f or evidence of these changes. Forty percent of cats 10 years or older were found to have the horizontal cardiac alignment, and 28 % had the redundant aorta. These changes were not seen in Groups 1 and 2 of youn ger and middle aged cats. The angle between the heart and sternum in G roup 3 (old) cats was significantly smaller than the same angle in you nger cats. Systemic hypertension and hyperthyroidism, possible patholo gic causes for this variation, were unlikely related to the cardiovasc ular changes due to the large number of older cats with this change, a nd lack of evidence of left ventricular hypertrophy.