Cats with severe hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) may develop congestive heart failure or may develop a clot within the heart that is carried into the arteries of the body. These complications are life threatening and devastating. The extent of scar tissue within the muscle of the heart is strongly predictive for development of congestive heart failure (CHF) or sudden death in people with HCM. Pirfenidone, an anti-fibrotic drug for humans, may be able to decrease scarring of the hearts of cats with HCM, and therefore improve heart function. Early usage of this drug may be successful in preventing or slowing progression of disease and subsequent development of heart failure. (Ricky Fund)
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