- Veterinary View Box
- Posts
- New Study Reveals Key Predictors of CHF Type in Cats—What Vets Should Know
New Study Reveals Key Predictors of CHF Type in Cats—What Vets Should Know
Journal of Veterinary Cardiology 2025
A.K. Masters, L. Brock, M.A. Tropf, A. Rendahl, S. Rogg, J.L. Ward
Background
Congestive heart failure (CHF) in cats, particularly from left-sided cardiac disease, can present with varied manifestations including pulmonary edema, pleural effusion, pericardial effusion, or ascites. Unlike in dogs, predicting the type of CHF presentation in cats remains poorly understood. This study was designed to identify clinical and echocardiographic variables associated with specific CHF manifestation types and evaluate their association with recurrence and survival outcomes.
Methods
This retrospective study analyzed medical records from 120 cats diagnosed with CHF secondary to left-sided heart disease. The cats were categorized into five groups based on fluid accumulation: pulmonary edema (A), pleural effusion (B), both pulmonary edema and pleural effusion (C), pericardial effusion only (D), and ascites (E). Echocardiographic evaluations were conducted, and statistical analyses were applied to identify associations between CHF types and clinical/echocardiographic parameters, recurrence, and survival.
Results
CHF manifestation type was significantly associated with sex, history of increased respiratory effort and rate, and arterial thromboembolism (ATE) signs. Echocardiographic parameters that differed significantly among CHF types included left atrium-to-aorta ratio (LA:Ao), right ventricular internal dimensions (diastolic and systolic), and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE). Cats with ascites had significantly higher right ventricular dimensions. CHF manifestation was not significantly associated with overall survival but was significantly related to time to CHF recurrence, with pleural effusion cases recurring sooner.
Limitations
This single-center retrospective study had a relatively small sample size, especially in less common CHF manifestation groups. Potential misclassification of CHF types, lack of standardized echocardiographic measurements, and inclusion of varied cardiomyopathy types could impact the findings. Additionally, reliance on thoracic ultrasound in some cases may have led to diagnostic variability.
Conclusions
Distinct clinical and echocardiographic features are associated with different CHF manifestation types in cats. Right heart involvement, especially in cases presenting with ascites or pleural effusion, appears significant. CHF type correlates with recurrence risk but not overall survival, suggesting implications for monitoring and treatment strategies. Prospective studies are needed to validate these associations and their predictive utility in clinical settings.

Kaplan-Meier curve demonstrating median
time to recurrence of congestive heart failure (CHF) by
type of congestive heart failure manifestation (groups
AeE) in cats with heart disease. Group A consisted of
cats with pulmonary edema with or without pericardial
effusion. Group B consisted of cats with pleural effusion
with or without pericardial effusion. Group C consisted
of cats with both pulmonary edema and pleural effusion
with or without pericardial effusion. Group D consisted
of cats with pericardial effusion only, and group E consisted
of cats with ascites with or without pulmonary
edema, pleural effusion, or pericardial effusion.
How did we do? |
Disclaimer: The summary generated in this email was created by an AI large language model. Therefore errors may occur. Reading the article is the best way to understand the scholarly work. The figure presented here remains the property of the publisher or author and subject to the applicable copyright agreement. It is reproduced here as an educational work. If you have any questions or concerns about the work presented here, reply to this email.