Aortic dissection (AD) is characterized by bleeding within the aortic wall or a tear in the intimal layer of the aortic wall, resulting in the passage of blood from the aortic lumen into the tunica media. In cases of AD, a floating, intimal flap in the aortic lumen divides the lumen into a true portion, with flow present, and a false portion, with no flow. We describe a series of 4 cats with AD of the ascending aorta and moderate aortic insufficiency. Three cats had an acute onset of clinical signs with pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade, whereas one cat showed a chronic onset without pericardial effusion. Detailed gross and histopathological characterization is available for two cats, which revealed the typical features of AD. One cat also showed connective tissue abnormalities, microscopically resembling Marfan-like syndrome. Concomitant detection of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in 2 cats represents a novel finding in the veterinary literature. Feline AD is generally associated with systemic hypertension. In all the cats of this case series, blood pressure was normal at presentation, although systemic hypertension before the acute dissection cannot be ruled out. In humans, hypotension is more common with AD of the ascending aorta, so the anatomical location could also play a role in cats. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in cats could have been a potential trigger of AD through shear stress. Transthoracic echocardiography, as herein demonstrated, can be considered as a rapid, non-invasive and useful method for the diagnosis of dissection at the level of the ascending aorta.

Aortic dissection in four cats: clinicopathological correlations

Tursi, M;Biasato, I;
2019-01-01

Abstract

Aortic dissection (AD) is characterized by bleeding within the aortic wall or a tear in the intimal layer of the aortic wall, resulting in the passage of blood from the aortic lumen into the tunica media. In cases of AD, a floating, intimal flap in the aortic lumen divides the lumen into a true portion, with flow present, and a false portion, with no flow. We describe a series of 4 cats with AD of the ascending aorta and moderate aortic insufficiency. Three cats had an acute onset of clinical signs with pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade, whereas one cat showed a chronic onset without pericardial effusion. Detailed gross and histopathological characterization is available for two cats, which revealed the typical features of AD. One cat also showed connective tissue abnormalities, microscopically resembling Marfan-like syndrome. Concomitant detection of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in 2 cats represents a novel finding in the veterinary literature. Feline AD is generally associated with systemic hypertension. In all the cats of this case series, blood pressure was normal at presentation, although systemic hypertension before the acute dissection cannot be ruled out. In humans, hypotension is more common with AD of the ascending aorta, so the anatomical location could also play a role in cats. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in cats could have been a potential trigger of AD through shear stress. Transthoracic echocardiography, as herein demonstrated, can be considered as a rapid, non-invasive and useful method for the diagnosis of dissection at the level of the ascending aorta.
2019
25
52
60
Aorta; Feline; Marfan syndrome; Vasculopathy
Oricco, S; Perego, M; Poggi, M; Tursi, M; Biasato, I; Santilli, R A
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
Oricco et al pdf post print.pdf

Accesso aperto

Tipo di file: POSTPRINT (VERSIONE FINALE DELL’AUTORE)
Dimensione 732.7 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
732.7 kB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri
Aortic dissection in four cases clinicopathological correlations.pdf

Accesso riservato

Tipo di file: PDF EDITORIALE
Dimensione 2.15 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
2.15 MB Adobe PDF   Visualizza/Apri   Richiedi una copia

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2318/1715306
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? 0
  • Scopus 3
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 2
social impact