Animals (Basel). 2026 Apr 10;16(8):1169. doi: 10.3390/ani16081169.
ABSTRACT
Myocardial calcification is an uncommon complication associated with end-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD) in feline patients. This report describes the clinical and multimodal imaging features of metastatic calcification in a 10-year-old castrated male mixed-breed cat. The patient presented with dyspnea and anorexia, and was diagnosed with IRIS Stage 4 CKD. Laboratory findings revealed severe hyperphosphatemia and an elevated calcium-phosphorus product (CPP) of 135 mg2/dL2, based on total calcium. This value significantly exceeds 70 mg2/dL2, a threshold associated with a high probability of inducing soft tissue mineralization. Echocardiography revealed extensive hyperechoic foci with posterior acoustic shadowing in the interventricular septum and left ventricular wall. Functional assessment demonstrated a restrictive diastolic filling pattern, suggesting increased myocardial stiffness and congestive heart failure. Computed tomography (CT) further visualized systemic involvement, showing diffuse, amorphous calcifications (400-900 HU) in the myocardium, multifocal aortic wall, and extracardiac tissues. Despite intensive treatment with diuretics and renal support, the patient was euthanized eight days later due to progressive renal failure. This case illustrates that the interaction between metastatic calcification and uremic cardiomyopathy (UC) can result in refractory heart failure, underscoring the value of combined echocardiography and CT in evaluating end-stage renal disease.
PMID:42071938 | PMC:PMC13113164 | DOI:10.3390/ani16081169