Transient myocardial thickening: a new diagnostic challenge in feline cardiology

Cardiomyopathies represent common disorders in cats. In this species, the most common cardiomyopathy is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a primary myocardial disease characterized by left ventricular concentric hypertrophy. However, additional disorders capable of mimicking HCM have been reported. Some of them are well known and extensively described, such as systemic hypertension and hyperthyroidism, whereas others are poorly documented, such as transient myocardial thickening [TMT] associated with acute myocardial injury. To date, feline TMT represents a diagnostic challenge for veterinarians, not only due to it similarities with HCM, but also due to the limited information currently available in the medical literature. This article describes the etiological, epidemiological, historical, clinical, diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic characteristics of feline TMT. The aim is to share with readers updated and detailed data on this topic, so that they could act as a guide for the identification and management of cats with TMT in clinical practice.