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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J Suppl / Cardiac arrhythmias in clinically healthy showjumping horses...
Equine veterinary journal. Supplement2011; (38); 196-201; doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00185.x

Cardiac arrhythmias in clinically healthy showjumping horses.

Abstract: Electrocardiographic reference values of clinically normal horses during exercise are a prerequisite when evaluating horses with poor performance or horses presented with cardiac abnormalities (e.g. valvular regurgitation). No published studies have reported cardiac rhythms of clinically normal showjumping horses. Objective: To demonstrate the feasibility of obtaining exercise electrocardiogram (ECG) in normal horses during showjumping and also to document the prevalence and frequency of arrhythmias in association with exercise. Methods: Thirty-four healthy showjumping horses aged 4-13 years (mean 7.5 years) underwent clinical examination and resting echocardiography. Modified chest lead ECG examinations were performed during rest, during a standardised showjumping course, as well as for the following 45 min recovery. All ECG recordings were analysed for presence and frequency of arrhythmias. Results: Six horses (17%) were excluded due to ECG recordings of poor diagnostic quality. Echocardiography demonstrated that 11 (39%) horses had one or more mild or moderate valvular regurgitations, but no associations were found between valvular regurgitation and arrhythmias. Supraventricular premature complexes (SVPCs) were found in 9 (32%) horses at rest, 25 (89%) during exercise and 15 (54%) during recovery. Only few arrhythmias occurred in each horse (<9 SVPCs/horse); however, one horse had 13 single SVPCs during exercise and another developed 41 SVPCs during recovery. SVPCs occurred typically at low HR (40-98 beats/min). Ventricular premature complexes (VPCs) was demonstrated in 5 (18%) horses during exercise and 2 (7%) during recovery, with <2 VPCs/horse. Conclusions: It is possible to obtain good quality ECG during showjumping. Reference values for normal performing showjumping horses are presented for the first time and showed a high prevalence of SVPCs both during and after exercise, but few VPCs. Conclusions: Normal reference values enable future studies of cardiac function in showjumping horses presented with poor performance and provide valuable information for veterinary practitioners in the field.
© 2010 EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2011-05-27 PubMed ID: 21059006DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00185.xGoogle 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 paper investigates the feasibility of using exercise electrocardiograms (ECGs) to examine the presence and frequency of heart arrhythmias in healthy showjumping horses. It presents, for the first time, reference values for normal heart activity during and after exercise in these animals, which could help future studies to investigate cardiac function in horses presenting with poor performance.

Methods

The study involved:

  • 34 clinically healthy showjumping horses aged between 4 and 13 years.
  • A clinical examination and resting echocardiography were performed on each horse.
  • The researchers carried out ECG examinations using a modified chest lead on the horses while they were at rest, during a standardized showjumping course, and during a 45-minute recovery period afterwards.
  • The ECG recordings were analyzed for the presence and frequency of heart arrhythmias.

Results

The resulting data included the following findings:

  • Six horses were excluded due to inadequate quality of ECG recordings.
  • They found that 11 horses (39%) had one or more mild or moderate valvular regurgitations (irregular valve function in the heart), but could find no associations between such regurgitation and heart arrhythmias.
  • Supraventricular premature complexes (SVPCs) — abnormal heartbeats originating from the upper chambers of the heart — were observed in nine horses at rest, 25 during exercise, and 15 during recovery.
  • There were only a few instances of these complexes in each horse, though one horse had several during exercise and another showed a more notable amount during recovery.
  • Ventricular premature complexes (VPCs) — abnormal heartbeats originating from the lower chambers of the heart were observed in five horses during exercise and two during their recovery, with fewer than two occurrences per horse.

Conclusion

The research concludes that:

  • It is feasible to collect good quality ECG data from horses during showjumping.
  • The new reference values for normal heart activity during and after exercise in showjumping horses have been established for the first time.
  • The data shows a high prevalence of SVPCs both during and after exercise but only a few VPCs.
  • These reference values can support future studies into cardiac function in these animals, providing useful data for veterinary practitioners.

Cite This Article

APA
Buhl R, Meldgaard C, Barbesgaard L. (2011). Cardiac arrhythmias in clinically healthy showjumping horses. Equine Vet J Suppl(38), 196-201. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00185.x

Publication

Equine veterinary journal. Supplement
NlmUniqueID: 9614088
Country: United States
Language: English
Issue: 38
Pages: 196-201

Researcher Affiliations

Buhl, R
  • Department of Large Animal Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. rib@life.ku.dk
Meldgaard, C
    Barbesgaard, L

      MeSH Terms

      • Animals
      • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / diagnosis
      • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / veterinary
      • Echocardiography / veterinary
      • Electrocardiography / instrumentation
      • Electrocardiography / methods
      • Electrocardiography / veterinary
      • Female
      • Heart Rate / physiology
      • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
      • Horses
      • Male
      • Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
      • Sports

      Citations

      This article has been cited 13 times.
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