Achados eletrocardiográficos, ecodopplercardiográficos, radiográficos e pressão arterial em gatos obesos

Abstract

Obesity is the most diagnosed nutritional disorder in cats, being considered a risk factor for the development of deseases in the species. It is related to comorbidities and reduces life expectancy and quality of life. In humans, the association between adipose tissue accumulation and cardiovascular alterations is well reported, which can be diagnosed through complementary tests such as eletrocardiography, echocardiography, thoracic radiography and systemic blood pressure measurement. The purpose of this study was to correlate cardiovascular parameters with obesity in adult cats. Forty cats were used, being 20 obese and 20 controls, evaluated by means of eletrocardiography (ECG), ecocardiography (ECO), thoracic radiography and systemic blood pressure (BP) measurements, relating the data obtained with the body condition score (BCS), body mass index (BMI), and vertebral heart size (VHS). In the electrocardiogram, obese cats had a higher rate of sinus arrhythmia compared to the control group. There where no differences betwen the heart rate of the groups. In the echocardiographic findings, there was an increase in the ratio of the left atrium with the aortic root diameter (LA/Ao) in the group of obese cats and an increase in the means of echocardiographic measurements of the aorta (Ao), left atrium (LA), free wall of the left ventricle in systole and in diastole (LVFWs and LVFWd) and internal diameter of the left ventricle in systole and in diastole (LVIDs and LVIDd). There was also greater difficulty in performing the echocardiographic examination due to the presence of more adipose tissue. As for the radiographic findings, obese cats had higher VHS values in the various measurements performed compared to cats with a normal body condition score. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was significantly higher in obese cats. Conclusion: obesity was correlated with a higher occurrence of sinus arrhythmias, increased mean echocardiographic measurements, increased LA/Ao ratio, increased vertebral hearth size (VHS) on radiography and increased SBP in cats. It is considered that more studies are needed to further assess the effects of the obesity on the cardiovascular system of the species.