Topic:Myocardial Function
Myocardial function in horses refers to the performance and health of the heart muscle, which is responsible for pumping blood throughout the equine body. This function is critical for sustaining the circulatory system and supporting the horse's physical activity and overall health. Myocardial function can be assessed through various parameters, such as cardiac output, heart rate, and contractility. In equine medicine, understanding myocardial function is important for diagnosing and managing conditions like heart disease, arrhythmias, and other cardiovascular disorders. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the physiology, assessment techniques, and clinical implications of myocardial function in horses.
Ventricular tachycardia and myocardial dysfunction in a horse. Ventricular tachycardia develops less frequently than supraventricular dysrhythmias and generally is more indicative of cardiac disease. The horse in this report had clinical signs of lethargy and hypophagia and was determined to have sustained ventricular tachycardia. Echocardiography was a valuable diagnostic tool and revealed an echodense area in the left ventricle that had subnormal ventricular performance. A primary heart problem of an inflammatory nature was suspected. The horse responded favorably to treatment with lidocaine, antimicrobials, and aspirin, as well as stall rest. The horse...
Myocardial perfusion and function during acute right ventricular systolic hypertension. Hemodynamics, myocardial function, and regional myocardial blood flow (MBF) were measured in 6 closed-chest ponies anesthetized with ketamine hydrochloride before (control) and after creation of acute right ventricular systolic hypertension (RVSH) during normoxia and isocapnic hypoxia. The right ventricular (RV) systolic pressure during each RVSH approached 90 mmHg. There were significant alterations in the pattern of total ventricular MBG distribution in favor of the RV. Because RV myocardium received proportionate increments to its endocardium as well as epicardium, it is concluded that auto...