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Equine veterinary journal2020; 52(6); 868-875; doi: 10.1111/evj.13263

Age-related differences in blood pressure, ultrasound-derived arterial diameters and arterial wall stiffness parameters in horses.

Abstract: Arterial rupture mainly affects older horses. The reason why older horses are more prone to arterial rupture and which underlying vascular changes predispose older horses to aortic rupture is still unclear. Objective: To investigate the effect of ageing on the equine arterial wall and blood pressure. Methods: Cohort study. Methods: Non-invasive blood pressure measurement using a tail cuff and vascular ultrasound from aorta, common carotid artery and external iliac artery was performed in 50 healthy young (3-7 years) and 50 healthy old Warmblood horses (>18 years). Arterial diameters and cross-sectional areas, and arterial wall thickness were measured offline. Regional arterial wall stiffness of the aorta and common carotid artery were assessed using pulse wave velocity, while lumen area/diameter change, strain, compliance and distensibility were calculated to assess local arterial wall stiffness. Results: No difference in blood pressure was found between old and young horses. All arterial dimensions and intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery were significantly larger in old horses. A significantly higher local arterial wall stiffness was found for the aorta and the caudal common carotid artery in older horses. For the external iliac artery, no significant differences in arterial wall stiffness were found. Both aortic and carotid pulse wave velocities were higher in older horses compared with younger horses. Conclusions: Blood pressure was measured non-invasively. Conclusions: In horses, arteries stiffen with age, in combination with luminal enlargement and arterial wall thickening. This might, at least partially, explain the increased incidence of arterial rupture in older horses.
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Publication Date: 2020-04-10 PubMed ID: 32196729DOI: 10.1111/evj.13263Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research examined the impacts of aging on the arterial walls and blood pressure in horses, trying to shed some light on why older horses are more susceptible to arterial rupture. The study found that arteries in horses become stiffer as they age, along with an enlargement of the arterial lumen and thickening of the walls, which could contribute to the increased risk of arterial rupture in older horses.

Research Methods

  • The study was a cohort study carried out on 50 young horses aged between 3-7 years and 50 older warmblood horses aged over 18 years.
  • Non-invasive blood pressure measurements were taken using a tail cuff method.
  • A vascular ultrasound was done on different arterial areas – the aorta, common carotid artery, and the external iliac artery.
  • Both arterial diameters and cross-sectional areas, along with arterial wall thickness, were measured.
  • The researchers also assessed regional arterial wall stiffness of the aorta and the common carotid artery using pulse wave velocity. Local arterial wall stiffness parameters such as lumen area or diameter change, strain, compliance, and distensibility were also calculated.

Results of the Research

  • The research found no difference in blood pressure between younger and older horses. However, all arterial dimensions and intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery were significantly larger in older horses.
  • A higher local arterial wall stiffness was discovered in the aorta and the caudal common carotid artery of older horses. However, for the external iliac artery, no significant differences were found in arterial wall stiffness.
  • Pulse wave velocities were also found to be higher in older horses compared with younger ones.

Conclusions of The Study

  • The findings indicate that in horses, arteries get stiffer with age, which is accompanied by an enlargement of the arterial lumen and thickening of the arterial wall.
  • This combination of changes could at least partly explain the increased incidence of arterial rupture in older horses.
  • This research could contribute towards enhancing the understanding of why older horses are more prone to arterial ruptures and may guide further studies and interventions aimed at preventing this condition in older horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Vera L, Van Steenkiste G, Decloedt A, Chiers K, van Loon G. (2020). Age-related differences in blood pressure, ultrasound-derived arterial diameters and arterial wall stiffness parameters in horses. Equine Vet J, 52(6), 868-875. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13263

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 52
Issue: 6
Pages: 868-875

Researcher Affiliations

Vera, Lisse
  • Department of Large Animal Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Equine Cardioteam Ghent University, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Van Steenkiste, Glenn
  • Department of Large Animal Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Equine Cardioteam Ghent University, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Decloedt, Annelies
  • Department of Large Animal Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Equine Cardioteam Ghent University, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Chiers, Koen
  • Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Poultry Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
van Loon, Gunther
  • Department of Large Animal Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Equine Cardioteam Ghent University, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Pressure
  • Carotid Intima-Media Thickness
  • Cohort Studies
  • Horses
  • Pulse Wave Analysis
  • Vascular Stiffness

Grant Funding

  • 1134917N / Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek
  • 1S56217N / Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Vera L, Muylle S, Van Steenkiste G, Segers P, Decloedt A, Chiers K, van Loon G. Histological and biomechanical properties of systemic arteries in young and old Warmblood horses. PLoS One 2021;16(7):e0253730.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253730pubmed: 34252105google scholar: lookup
  2. Dufourni A, Demeyere M, Vernemmen I, Van Steenkiste G, Verhaeghe LM, van Loon G, Decloedt A. Effect of N-Butylscopolammonium Bromide and Metamizol Sodium on Heart Rate, Blood Pressure, and Echocardiographic Measurements in Warmblood Horses With Aortic and Mitral Valve Regurgitation. J Vet Intern Med 2025 Nov-Dec;39(6):e70254.
    doi: 10.1111/jvim.70254pubmed: 41070729google scholar: lookup
  3. Dufourni A, Buschmann E, Vernemmen I, Van Steenkiste G, van Loon G, Decloedt A. Effect of physiological and pharmacological stress on heart rate, blood pressure, and echocardiographic measurements in healthy Warmblood horses. J Vet Intern Med 2024 Jan-Feb;38(1):398-410.
    doi: 10.1111/jvim.16967pubmed: 38174810google scholar: lookup
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