2018 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program: Seattle, Washington, June 14 - 15, 2018

A total of 162 cats were included in the study and classified as healthy (n=56), CM (n=62) and CHF (n=44). Healthy cats were younger than both the CM and CHF groups (p < 0.0001) and the groups did not differ in body weight. LAV measurements from the RLA and LAP views were statistically different (p = 0.0005). was classified according to whether it had "increased", "decreased" or been "maintained" over each interval and was entered as an explanatory variable. Additional explanatory variables that were included in models had been recorded at the first examination in each interval. The association between changes in heart murmur intensity and the rate of cardiac remodeling provides evidential support to the utility of longitudinally monitoring murmur grade. In clinical practice, an increase in murmur grade may indicate that a more rapid rate of DMVD progression has occurred and could be used to recommend further echocardiographic evaluation.