Cardiac malposition (ectopia cordis) in a cat

Objective - To describe a case of cardiac malposition in a cat, and the successful management of the anomaly. Case Description - A 2-year-old male neutered male British Shorthair cat weighing 7.58 kg was referred for bicavitary effusion. Ultrasonography and echocardiography demonstrated displacement of the heart into the abdomen through a diaphragmatic defect. Clinical signs of right-sided congestive heart failure were attributed to mechanical restriction of diastolic function by a constrictive segment of fibrous pericardium and to impaired venous return due to a kink in the caudal vena cava. Surgical repositioning of the heart into the thoracic cavity and a subtotal pericardectomy were performed, and the diaphragmatic defect was repaired. The patient recovered well postoperatively. New or Unique Information Provided - The diagnosis and management of cardiac malposition has not been previously described in cats. With timely diagnosis and surgical intervention, a favorable outcome is possible.