What you need to know about cats with restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) | VETgirl Veterinary Continuing Education Podcasts

In today's VETgirl online veterinary CE podcast, we review restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) in cats. Restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) in humans is most classically described as a myocardial disease whereby left ventricular wall thickness is normal, diastolic filling is impaired, and systolic function is affected minimally or not at all. There is significant variety in the actual etiology and clinical manifestations of RCM, however. RCM in cats has thus far generally been described as either a “myocardial” form whereby the myocardium is diffusely affected, or an “endomyocardial” form which involves a bridging endomyocardial scar from the interventricular septum to the left ventricular free wall. There is limited data regarding factors that influence prognosis in RCM in cats. So, Chetboul et al out of France wanted to evaluate this in a study entitled Clinical, epidemiological and echocardiographic features and prognostic factors in cats with restrictive cardiomyopathy: A retrospective study of 92 cases (2001-2015).