Case 21 — Echocardiograms

Right Parasternal Short-Axis View of the Left Ventricle

Cross-sectional view of the LV at the papillary muscles. IVS thickness normal (4 mm). LVFW markedly increased (10 mm). Prominent papillary muscles. Pericardial effusion (PE) present. A mass (arrowheads) is in the pericardial effusion below the left auricle region.
Short-axis LV at papillary muscles. IVS 4 mm (normal); LVFW 10 mm (markedly thickened). Pericardial effusion (PE). Mass (arrowheads) below the left auricle.

Video of a right parasternal cross-sectional echocardiogram from a different cat with the same cardiac disease

Right Parasternal Short-Axis View of the Left Atrium

Short-axis view showing the left atrium (LA) markedly enlarged compared to the aorta in cross-section.
LA markedly enlarged relative to the aorta.

Right Parasternal Long-Axis View of LV and LA

Long-axis view showing clumped red cells (spontaneous contrast / echocardiographic smoke) swirling in the left atrium (LA). LV — left ventricle.
Spontaneous contrast (“smoke”) swirling in the LA. LV.

Oblique View of the Left Atrium

Oblique view again showing clumped red cells swirling slowly in and through the markedly enlarged left atrium (LA).
Clumped red cells swirling in the enlarged LA.

Video of an echocardiogram from a different cat with the same abnormality

Spontaneous contrast in the body of the left atrium and a thrombus in the left auricle (top of the video)

Quiz

1. How large is the left atrium?

2. What does the spontaneous contrast predispose this cat to?

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