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Veterinary research forum : an international quarterly journal2022; 13(3); 423-429; doi: 10.30466/vrf.2021.130366.2997

Assessing the cardiac valves conditions in athletic horses with poor performance.

Abstract: Heart murmurs and valvular regurgitation are common in horses and often have no effect on their performance. However, when structural changes occur in the heart size, they can affect performance adversely. This study aimed to examine the correlation between cardiac valves disease and poor performance in athletic horses. A total of 300 athletic Thoroughbred and mix-breed horses including 164 mares and 136 stallions, with a history of poor performance, were selected. Horses with cardiac murmurs were identified and further cardiac examination including precise auscultation, base-apex electrocardiogram for possible dysrhythmias at rest and after exercise, echocardiographic and hematological tests were conducted in two stages. The first was at admission time and the second examination was done four to six months later to evaluate the outcome of the possible disorders. Respiratory system and musculoskeletal diseases were diagnosed respectively in 93 and 149 out of 300 examined horses and 36 horses showed heart murmur without any other complications. Echocardiography was performed in horses with heart murmur and 25 of them showed regurgitation of the cardiac valve. During the first examination, 7 horses were diagnosed with regurgitation and changes in the size of cardiac chambers, whereas this number increased to 25 during the second examination. There was no significant relationship between degree of murmur and severity of regurgitant jet in horses. The valvular regurgitation can affect the performance when causing changes in the size of the cardiac chambers which can consequently jeopardize the athletic future of the horse.
© 2022 Urmia University.
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Publication Date: 2022-09-15 PubMed ID: 36320295PubMed Central: PMC9548239DOI: 10.30466/vrf.2021.130366.2997Google 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 relationship between heart valve diseases and diminished performance in athletic horses. By studying 300 thoroughbred and mixed breed horses with a history of underperformance, the study determined that severe valve regurgitation, which can cause structural changes to the heart, can potentially impact athletic capability.

Study Participants and Method

  • The study included a total of 300 athletic thoroughbred and mixed breed horses, made up of 164 mares and 136 stallions, observed for poor performance.
  • Initial examination was done at the time of admission, involving identification of horses with cardiac murmurs through precise auscultation, base-apex electrocardiograms for possible dysrhythmias at rest and after exercise, echocardiographic and hematological tests.
  • A second examination of the horses was carried out four to six months later to assess the progression of any discovered disorders.

Findings and Analysis

  • Out of the 300 inspected horses, respiratory and musculoskeletal diseases were diagnosed in 93 and 149 of them respectively, while 36 of them showed heart murmur without any other complications.
  • Echocardiography was done on the horses displaying heart murmurs, and 25 of them were found to have cardiac valve regurgitation. At first, 7 horses diagnosed with regurgitation also exhibited changes in the size of cardiac chambers. This number rose to 25 in the follow-up examination.
  • The study found no significant relationship between the degree of a horse’s heart murmur and the severity of regurgitant jet.

Conclusions

  • The research concludes that valvular regurgitation, especially when it causes changes in the size of the cardiac chambers, might adversely affect the performance of a horse and could potentially jeopardize its athletic future.
  • This study highlights the need for regular cardiac health assessment in athletic horses, particularly those presenting signs of reduced performance, for early detection and management of cardiac health issues.

Cite This Article

APA
Khalesi H, Sakha M, Veshkini A, Rezakhani A. (2022). Assessing the cardiac valves conditions in athletic horses with poor performance. Vet Res Forum, 13(3), 423-429. https://doi.org/10.30466/vrf.2021.130366.2997

Publication

Veterinary research forum : an international quarterly journal
ISSN: 2008-8140
NlmUniqueID: 101625812
Country: Iran
Language: English
Volume: 13
Issue: 3
Pages: 423-429

Researcher Affiliations

Khalesi, Hossein
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
Sakha, Mehdi
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
Veshkini, Abbas
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
Rezakhani, Ali
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no financial or conflict of interest regarding this study that could inappropriately influence the work.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Piotrowski IL, Junge HK, Schwarzwald CC. Evaluation of the Audicor Acoustic Cardiography Device as a Diagnostic Tool in Horses with Mitral or Aortic Valve Insufficiency. Animals (Basel) 2024 Jan 21;14(2).
    doi: 10.3390/ani14020331pubmed: 38275790google scholar: lookup
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