# Concurrent Persistent Truncus Arteriosus and Left Atrial Diverticulum in a Domestic Short-Haired Cat

## TL;DR

A 2-year-old cat with a rare heart defect called persistent truncus arteriosus and other abnormalities was diagnosed through advanced imaging and postmortem analysis, highlighting the complexity of feline heart conditions.

## Contribution

This case report documents a rare combination of persistent truncus arteriosus and left atrial diverticulum in a cat, emphasizing the need for advanced diagnostics in veterinary cardiology.

## Key findings

- Echocardiography confirmed persistent truncus arteriosus with a large ventricular septal defect in the cat.
- Postmortem examination revealed additional anomalies, including myxomatous valve degeneration and an atrial diverticulum.
- The case highlights the importance of advanced imaging and histopathology for diagnosing complex feline heart defects.

## Abstract

A 2-year-old male cat was brought to a veterinary hospital due to difficulty breathing, cyanosis (blue gums), and low tolerance for exercise. A heart murmur and other symptoms prompted advanced tests, revealing a rare and severe heart defect called persistent truncus arteriosus (PTA), along with other abnormalities in the heart and surrounding organs. After a progressive worsening of the clinical state, the cat died, and the diagnosis was confirmed postmortem, uncovering additional defects like valve degeneration and abnormal organ connections. This case demonstrates the complexity of congenital heart defects in cats and underscores the importance of advanced imaging and postmortem examinations for accurate diagnosis. Such insights can improve understanding and management of similar conditions, benefiting pet health and veterinary care.

A 2-year-3-month-old neutered male domestic shorthair cat was presented for cardiological evaluation at the University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, with a history of dyspnea, open-mouth breathing, cyanosis, and exercise intolerance. Physical examination identified a grade 4/6 systolic murmur, cyanosis, and mild dyspnea, with no abdominal abnormalities. Echocardiography revealed right ventricular hypertrophy, severe right atrial dilation, a thickened tricuspid valve, and a large nonrestrictive ventricular septal defect with a left-to-right shunt, consistent with persistent truncus arteriosus (PTA), confirmed postmortem. During necropsy, in addition to the clinically confirmed diagnoses, bilateral myxomatous degeneration of the A-V valves, and associated anomalies such as an atrial diverticulum and splenopancreatic fusion were observed and confirmed histologically. This case emphasizes the clinical and morphological complexity of congenital heart defects in felines, highlighting the importance of advanced diagnostic and histopathological techniques for accurate diagnosis and characterization.