FELINE HYPERTROPHIC CARDIOMYOPATHY .2.

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.