🧬 In cats, SEC is most commonly visualised in the left atrium or auricle, especially in the setting of severe left atrial enlargement due to cardiomyopathy. It’s a marker of blood stasis, and with it, an increased risk of thrombus formation and potential for arterial thromboembolism (ATE).
🎯 Key associations:
- HCM or restrictive cardiomyopathy
- LA:Ao ratio often >1.6
- Reduced atrial function
- Sometimes found even in asymptomatic patients
Seen during a routine echo at the patient’s own clinic — early detection can be life-saving.
Spontaneous echo contrast (SEC) — often described as a “smoke-like” swirling pattern within the cardiac chambers — is something we rarely want to see… but it’s fascinating when we do.
💡 SEC is not a thrombus, but it warns us that one may not be far behind. It changes clinical decisions — from starting a thrombolytic such as clopidogrel, to how closely we monitor.
#felinecardiology #echocardiography #SEC #HCM #cathealth #vetcardiology #clopidogrel #thromboembolism