Comparison of auscultatory and echocardiographic findings in healthy adult cats

ObjectivesThis pilot study was performed to investigate murmur prevalence and to explore the association between auscultatory and echocardiographic findings in apparently healthy cats in order to design a larger study.Animals, materials and methodsAdult cats in 4 rehoming centres were screened by auscultation and echocardiography (echo) over 2 periods of 2 weeks each. In the first period, echo was attempted only in cats with murmurs. In the second period, all cats underwent auscultation by 2 observers and echo. LVH was defined in 5 ways: maximal diastolic left ventricular (LV) wall thickness ≥6 mm or ≥5.5 mm with 2D (LVH6 2D, LVH5.5 2D, respectively) or M-Mode echo (LVH6 MM or LVH5.5 MM respectively), or LV wall thickness ≥6 mm (2D) for >50% of a wall segment (LVH50%).Results67/199 (34%) cats had a murmur. Interobserver agreement on murmur presence was moderate (κ 0.47). 61 cats with a murmur and 31 cats without underwent both auscultation and echo. Depending on the criteria, LVH was present in 31 (LVH6 2D), 21 (LVH50%) and 11 (LVH6 MM) scanned cats. 18–62% of cats with murmurs had LVH, depending on the echo criteria used. Agreement was best between observers in identifying LVH using LVH6 2D and LVH50% (κ = 1.0).ConclusionsHeart murmurs are common in apparently healthy cats. The prevalence of LVH varies depending on the criteria used.