Echocardiographic findings of aortic dissection in a cat with systemic hypertension and congestive heart failure.

Severe systemic hypertension can lead to aortic dissection and congestive heart failure in cats.

This case report presents a 10-year-old male Domestic Shorthair cat diagnosed with severe systemic arterial hypertension (SAHT), aortic dissection, and congestive heart failure (CHF). The cat exhibited clinical signs including syncope, paraparesis, and weak femoral pulses. Radiographic imaging revealed cardiomegaly, and echocardiography identified a dissecting aortic aneurysm (DAA) with marked aortic valve insufficiency. The cat's systolic systemic arterial blood pressure was severely elevated, confirming the presence of SAHT. The authors suggest that the DAA was secondary to the SAHT, leading to CHF. They recommend a therapeutic plan comprising furosemide and enalapril for such patients. The study emphasizes the importance of recognizing and managing systemic hypertension to prevent severe cardiovascular complications in cats. ([pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29717986/?utm_source=openai))

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