Pulmonary artery dissection causing haemothorax in a cat: potential role of Dirofilaria immitis infection and literature review

Abstract

Capucchio, Pulmonary artery dissection causing haemothorax in a cat: potential role of Dirofilaria immitis infection and literature

Diagnosing and treating haemothorax in dogs and cats

“…There are even fewer published cases of haemothorax in cats. It has been described in association with trauma (Vnuka and others 2004), traumatic fat embolism (Sierra and others 2007), thrombocytopenia (Jordan and others 1993) and pulmonary artery dissection associated with Dirofilaria immitis infection (Biasato and others 2017). Neoplasia has also been implicated (Zuckerman and others 2014).…”

Dirofilarioses in cats: European guidelines from the ABCD on prevention and management

“…29,30 In one case, pathological changes in the arterial wall caused fatal dissection of the pulmonary artery ( Figures 3 and 4). 31 Moreover, the presence of circulating Wolbachia species antigens and anti-Wolbachia anti bodies has been associated in experimentally infected cats with an inflammatory reaction in the host tissues that affects respiratory function. 27,32 Sometimes sudden death is reported in apparently healthy cats as a consequence of severe pulmonary thromboembolic or haemorrhagic pathology, including haemothorax due to pulmonary artery dissection.…”

“…27,32 Sometimes sudden death is reported in apparently healthy cats as a consequence of severe pulmonary thromboembolic or haemorrhagic pathology, including haemothorax due to pulmonary artery dissection. 21,31,33 According to experimental studies, an acute systemic anaphylaxis could be involved in this hyperacute course of feline HWD secondary to the release of large quantities of D immitis antigens from dead parasites. The usual clinical signs are severe respiratory insufficiency, hypotension, vomiting and diarrhoea.…”

“…39 Necropsy is the only diagnostic method available in cases of sudden death but is also used to confirm the disease when negative results of ante-mortem diagnostic methods are obtained in suspected cases. 31 The right side of the heart, pulmonary arteries and ectopic sites, including the brain and spinal cord in the case of neurological signs, must be carefully examined for adult worms. 1,2,46 With respect to subcutaneous dirofilariosis, a diagnosis was obtained as an unexpected finding in one report.…”

A pulmonary artery dissection in infant

“…To the best of our knowledge, this is one of the younger cases that has been detected at present. [1][2][3][4][5] CONFLICT OF INTEREST Drs. Yang Wen, Mei Jin, and Zhengbing Yang have no conflicts of interest or financial ties to disclose.…”