Spironolactone in Cats With Heart Disease

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a primary myocardial disease affecting the left ventricle. Some of the pathologic abnormalities found in HCM are myocardial fibrosis and concentric hypertrophy. Treatments that would reverse these pathologic changes would be beneficial. In a rat model of HCM, spironolactone reversed interstitial fibrosis, decreased myocyte disarray by 50%, and improved diastolic function within 10 weeks of treatment. The goal of this study was to evaluate spironolactone treatment of Maine Coon cats with HCM for its ability to improve diastolic function and reduce left ventricular mass. The study enrolled 26 Maine Coon cats with familial HCM and randomized them into two groups. One group received spironolactone (2 mg/kg, PO, BID) and the other group received placebo for 4 months. No significant treatment effect on cardiac function or left ventricular mass was identified. Severe facial dermatitis developed in 4 of the 13 cats receiving spironolactone, requiring discontinuation of therapy.

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Meurs, K., X. Sanchez, et al. (2005). “A cardiac myosin binding protein C mutation in the Maine Coon cat with familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.” Hum Mol Genet 14(23): 3587-3593.

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