Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the most common acquired heart disease
in the cat. Middle-aged to older male castrated cats are most commonly
affected. Clinical signs associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
are usually attributable to decreased left ventricular diastolic filli
ng and myocardial ischemia with resultant heart failure. Radiography,
echocardiography, and electrocardiography are important tools used for
the diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Calcium channel blocker
s represent a new mode of treatment that may reverse the pathogenesis
of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in addition to improving clinical signs
. Arterial thromboembolism is a complication occurring in up to 50% of
cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and remains extremely difficult
to treat.