Clinical Research Abstracts of the British Equine Veterinary Association Congress 2015.
Abstract: Atrial fibrillation is a common equine arrhythmia. Quinidine alone, or with digoxin are common treatments. Studies on outcome in Warmblood populations in which duration of the AF is often unknown are limited. Objective: To identify the factors that are associated with the success of full treatment cardioversion with oral medication, and establish whether there are differences in these factors between institutions. Methods: Retrospective case series using patient records of Equine University Clinic of Utrecht University and Rossdales Equine Hospital, Newmarket. Methods: Forty-nine horses treated with quinidine were identified (29 Warmbloods, 20 Thorougbreds, 1 Anglo-Arabian). Details of signalment, history, duration physical examination and echocardiography including left atrial size and presence of mitral regurgitation were retrieved. Clinical details including mean weight, age and left atrial size were compared between clinics using independent samples t test. Association between variables and cardioconversion were evaluated in a backwards logistic regression using Akaike's information criterium (AIC) and odds ratios were calculated. Factors were sex, clinic, breed, mitral regurgitation, duration and poor performance. Covariates were age, weight and the size of the left atrium. Significance was set at 0.05. Results: Fifty-one horses (mean age 8.8 s.d. 4.5 years) were treated with quinidine sulfate, 18 also received digoxin. Eighty per cent converted to sinus rhythm. In 8 horses the known duration was less than 3 months. The only factor associated with successful treatment was the use of digoxin in combination with quinidine sulfate (odds ratio 12.4; 95% CI 2.61 and 91.85 according to AIC analysis). Conclusions: In this retrospective case series, there is much potential for bias in the data; however, the use of digoxin in addition to quinidine was associated with improved conversion rates regardless of breed even though AF duration was unknown in most horses. Ethical animal research: Research ethics committee oversight not currently required by this conference: retrospective study of clinical records. Explicit owner informed consent for inclusion of animals in this study was not stated. Background: None. Competing interests: None declared.
© 2015 The Author(s). Equine Veterinary Journal © 2015 EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 2015-09-17 PubMed ID: 26376318DOI: 10.1111/evj.12486_63Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research explores the use of surface electromyography (sEMG) in measuring muscle activity in horses’ neck muscles, or splenius muscles, and its application in understanding the effects of chiropractic treatments. This is showcased through a controlled study that demonstrated significant muscle activity reduction after chiropractic treatment, suggesting sEMG’s viability for assessing equine muscle activity.
Objective and Methodology
- The main aim of this research was to find a relationship between measurable muscle parameters and misalignments and muscle tension in the horse’s neck.
- 14 privately-owned horses of mixed breeds, sex, age, and a mean height of 157.8 cm were selected. They were then paired according to work, management regime, age, sex, and breed into one of two groups, a treatment or a control group.
- The treatment group (7 horses) received manual chiropractic treatment after palpation, which is a method of examining body structures by touch.
- The control group went through palpation only.
- Data collection was performed via a Delsys 4 sensor system. The probes were strategically positioned on the muscle between certain points to maximize signal capture.
- sEMG readings were taken before (0), immediately after palpation (PP), and half an hour later (30). The collected data were then analyzed and tested for conformity and disparities using statistical methods.
Results
- Following treatment, a significant decrease in sEMG activity was observed for the treatment group at 0 to 30 and PP to 30.
- On the right side, a significant decrease in sEMG readings was observed in the treatment group at 0 to 30 and PP to 30.
- No significant effect was found in the control group.
- The majority of horses (83%) had a certain type of rotational misalignment (atlas rotation and tilt) towards the right.
Conclusion
- The findings suggest that sEMG can be a useful tool for assessing muscle activities in horses.
- The study presented statistically significant results demonstrating that manual chiropractic treatment can lead to a significant reduction in the activity of the splenius muscle in horses.
- However, the question of how this decrease in muscle activity translates into benefits for the horse remains unclear.
- The research was ethically conducted, with the study protocol reviewed by the College Research Ethics Committee and informed consent received from the horse owners.
- No conflicting interests were declared.
Cite This Article
APA
Lotstra RJ, van den Broek J, Power T, Marr CM, Wijnberg ID.
(2015).
Clinical Research Abstracts of the British Equine Veterinary Association Congress 2015.
Equine Vet J, 47 Suppl 48, 28.
https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.12486_63 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, the Netherlands.
- Department of Farm Animal Health, Dept. Epidemiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, the Netherlands.
- Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hertfordshire, AL7 9TA, UK.
- Rossdales Equine Hospital and Diagnostic Centre, Cotton End Road, Exning, Newmarket, CB8 7NN, UK.
- Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, the Netherlands.
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