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Irish veterinary journal2015; 68; 24; doi: 10.1186/s13620-015-0052-3

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy secondary to adipose infiltration as a cause of episodic collapse in a horse.

Abstract: A 15-year-old Clydesdale cross gelding was investigated and managed over a 2-year period for intermittent collapse. The horse presented initially after an observed episode of collapse at rest, and had a resting tachycardia, elevated Cardiac Troponin I and polycythaemia. Multiple dysrhythmias were detected on telemetric electrocardiography. Vital parameters, cardiac rhythm and red cell count returned to reference range with prolonged rest but further resting syncopal episodes were observed, and due to safety concerns and limited treatment options the horse was euthanased. Post mortem evaluation identified extensive infiltration and replacement of right and left ventricular myocardial fibres with adipose and fibrous tissue, consistent with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy. This report provides further information regarding the clinical and pathological features of this rarely reported condition.
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Publication Date: 2015-10-19 PubMed ID: 26500762PubMed Central: PMC4615877DOI: 10.1186/s13620-015-0052-3Google 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.

The research is about a rare cardiac condition called arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), which caused episodic collapse in a 15-year-old horse due to the infiltration of fat and fibrous tissue in the heart muscles. The condition was noticed over a 2-year period and despite temporary improvement, the horse was eventually euthanized due to limited treatment options and safety reasons.

Introduction

  • This study presents a case of a Clydesdale cross gelding (a horse) that experienced intermittent collapses over a span of two years. The horse was found to have arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), a condition often marked by abnormal heart rhythms resulting from the replacement of part of the muscle of the right and left ventricles with fatty tissue.

Initial Observations and Tests

  • The instance of collapse was observed when the horse was at rest. It had heightened Cardiac Troponin I levels, polycythemia (increased red cell count), and resting tachycardia (an unusually rapid heart rate while at rest).
  • Telemetric electrocardiography was used to monitor the horse’s heart conditions, and this process led to the detection of various heart rhythm disorders (dysrhythmias).
  • Following an extended rest period, vital parameters such as the horse’s cardiac rhythm and red cell count returned to normal reference ranges. However, there were still registered episodes of syncope (temporary loss of consciousness).

Treatment and Result

  • Despite giving the horse the required rest and care, the symptoms persisted and its condition continued to worsen.
  • Due to the lack of effective treatment options, the horse was proposed for euthanasia. This decision was primarily based on safety concerns as repeated syncopal episodes triggered by this disease could lead to sudden fatality.

Post-mortem Evaluation

  • After euthanization, a post-mortem autopsy was done on the horse which identified significant fatty and fibrous tissue infiltration. Essentially, the myocardial fibers in both the right and left ventricles of the horse’s heart showed replacement with adipose (fat) and fibrous tissue.
  • This finding confirmed the initial diagnosis of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy.

Conclusion

  • The study broadens the understanding of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy in equine patients, a condition rarely reported before. It draws light on the vital clinical and pathological features of this uncommon condition in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Raftery AG, Garcia NC, Thompson H, Sutton DG. (2015). Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy secondary to adipose infiltration as a cause of episodic collapse in a horse. Ir Vet J, 68, 24. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13620-015-0052-3

Publication

Irish veterinary journal
ISSN: 0368-0762
NlmUniqueID: 0100762
Country: Ireland
Language: English
Volume: 68
Pages: 24
PII: 24

Researcher Affiliations

Raftery, Alexandra G
  • Weipers Centre Equine Hospital, University of Glasgow, Bearsden Road, Glasgow, G611QH UK.
Garcia, Nuria C
  • Department of Pathology, University of Glasgow, Bearsden Road, Glasgow, G611QH UK.
Thompson, Hal
  • Department of Pathology, University of Glasgow, Bearsden Road, Glasgow, G611QH UK.
Sutton, David Gm
  • Weipers Centre Equine Hospital, University of Glasgow, Bearsden Road, Glasgow, G611QH UK.

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Goto Asakawa M, Mehmood W, Ali M, Oikawa MA. Idiopathic multifocal myocardial atrophy with fibrosis and fatty infiltration involving Purkinje fibres in a 13-year-old Arabian broodmare: Histopathological features. Vet Med Sci 2021 Jan;7(1):3-8.
    doi: 10.1002/vms3.350pubmed: 32940417google scholar: lookup
  2. Simpson S, Rutland P, Rutland CS. Genomic Insights into Cardiomyopathies: A Comparative Cross-Species Review. Vet Sci 2017 Mar 21;4(1).
    doi: 10.3390/vetsci4010019pubmed: 29056678google scholar: lookup
  3. Raftery AG, Cuesta-Garcia N, Thompson H, Sutton DGM. Erratum to: Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy secondary to adipose infiltration as a cause of episodic collapse in a horse. Ir Vet J 2017;70:19.
    doi: 10.1186/s13620-017-0099-4pubmed: 28596827google scholar: lookup
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