Topic:Cardiovascular Health
Cardiovascular health in horses encompasses the study of the heart and blood vessels, focusing on their structure, function, and associated disorders. The equine cardiovascular system is responsible for the circulation of blood, delivering oxygen and nutrients to tissues, and removing waste products. Research in this area includes the examination of cardiac anatomy, the electrophysiology of the heart, and common cardiovascular conditions such as arrhythmias, valvular diseases, and heart murmurs. Diagnostic tools such as echocardiography, electrocardiography, and cardiac biomarkers are utilized to assess cardiovascular function and detect abnormalities. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the physiological mechanisms, diagnostic approaches, and therapeutic strategies related to cardiovascular health in horses.
Microscopic lesions in the hearts of aged horses and mules. The hearts of 23 aged equids (18 horses and 5 mules) were examined histologically. Major findings included arteriolosclerosis and intimal bodies in small muscular arteries, myocarditis, myocardial fibrosis, fatty metamorphosis of myocardial and Purkinje fibers, myocytolysis, and basophilic (mucinous) degeneration of myocardium. Lesions less frequently seen included chronic fibrotic valvulitis, acute myocardial necrosis, sarcosporidiosis, and hemosiderosis. Single cases of malignant melanoma, cartilaginous metaplasia of the I-V septum, mineralization of connective tissue in the I-V septum, and ...
Cardiovascular parameters in emphysematous and control horses. EBERLY, V. E., W. S. TYLER, AND J. R. GILLESPIE. Cardio-vascular parameters in emphysematous and control horses. J. Appl. Physiol. 2 1 (3) : 883-889. I 966.—Horses with clinical signs of chronic pulmonary emphysema were demonstrated to have heart rates, total peripheral vascular resistance, pulmonary vascular resistance, and mean pulmonary artery blood pres-sure highly significantly greater than normal. They also had a highly significant decrease in central blood volume, stroke volume, stroke index, and left ventricular work. Cardiac out-put was significantly lower than in control (normal) h...
Simple surgical approach to iliac arteries of the horse for blood flow measurement. Bood flow was measured in the external iliac artery of the
horse during standing and walking. The Franklin Doppler
blood flow-telemetry system was used in this study. The transducer was placed on the external iliac artery using a retroperitoneal approach through the vaginal wall.
Functional and morphologic pathology of equine aortic insufficiency. Twelve horses and 3 mules with grade II or louder prolonged diastolic murmurs were selected for functional and histopathologic study. Aortic insufficiency was demonstrated in all mules and in all except two horses on the basis of murmurs, jet lesions and/or pathologic and incompetent valve cusps. In 15 control animals lesions resulting in aortic insufficiency were not found.
A thick fibrous band was present on all aortic valve cusps judged to be definitely insufficient. This band occurred at the line of valvular closure, parallel to the free edge, and allowed eversion of the peripheral portio...