Echocardiographic evaluation of changes in left ventricular size and valvular regurgitation associated with physical training during and after maturity in Standardbred trotters.
Abstract: To assess whether physical training induces cardiac hypertrophy and valvular regurgitation in maturing Standardbred trotters and to establish a prediction model for the size of the left ventricle. Methods: Longitudinal observational study. Methods: 53 Standardbred trotters. Methods: Each horse underwent 2-D, M-mode, and color flow Doppler echocardiography at 5.5 years of age; previously, each horse had been examined at 2, 2.5, 3, and 3.5 (time of maturity) years of age. Horses were or were not in training or racing for variable periods during the entire assessment period; data for a given horse were assigned to 1 of 2 groups on the basis of the horse's status at the fifth examination (racing [n = 40] or not racing [13]). At each examination, left ventricular (LV) internal diameter in diastole (LVIDd), LV mass, and mean and relative LV wall thicknesses were measured. Prevalence and severity of tricuspid, pulmonary, mitral, and aortic valve regurgitation were determined. Results: During the assessment period, LVIDd, LV mass, and mean LV wall thickness increased; body weight was significantly associated with those variables. Prediction of LV mass was possible when sex and weight were included in the model. Prevalence of valvular regurgitation increased for all valves. An increased risk of development of tricuspid and pulmonary valve regurgitation for horses in racing was observed. Conclusions: The LV mass and prevalence of valvular regurgitation increased (indicative of development of exercise-induced cardiac hypertrophy and valvular regurgitation) in young horses, even during the latter part of the assessment period, when maturity was attained.
Publication Date: 2012-01-06 PubMed ID: 22217030DOI: 10.2460/javma.240.2.205Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research investigates whether physical training causes heart enlargement and improper function of heart valves in maturing Standardbred trotters. The study also attempts to create a model for predicting the size of the left ventricle of the heart in these horses.
About the Study
- This study is a longitudinal observational research conducted on 53 Standardbred trotters – a breed of horse extensively used in harness racing.
- These horses underwent various heart assessments, such as Two-Dimensional echocardiography, M-mode echocardiography, and color flow Doppler echocardiography at different ages (2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, and 5.5 years of age) to monitor changes in their heart size and function.
- The horses, over this time, were either in training or racing for varying periods. At the final examination (5.5 years of age), the horses were categorized into one of two groups: those still racing (40 horses) and those who were not (13 horses).
Data Collected and Measured
- The study collected data on the size of the left ventricle of the heart (LV), specifically the internal diameter during diastole (relaxed phase of the heart; denoted as LVIDd), the overall mass of the LV, and the average and relative thickness of the LV wall.
- They also monitored the presence and severity of regurgitation (backward flow of blood due to improper closing) in the tricuspid, pulmonary, mitral, and aortic valves of the heart.
Findings of the Study
- The researchers observed that the LVIDd, LV mass, and average LV wall thickness increased across the assessment period. These changes were significantly related to the horse’s body weight.
- A prediction model for LV mass was achievable when factors such as sex and weight of the horse were included.
- The prevalence of regurgitation in all the monitored heart valves increased, noting an increased risk for tricuspid and pulmonary valve regurgitation specifically for horses actively racing.
- In conclusion, the researchers find an increase in LV mass and prevalence of valve regurgitation (indicative of exercise-induced heart enlargement and valve malfunction) in young horses, particularly during maturity.
Cite This Article
APA
Buhl R, Ersbøll AK.
(2012).
Echocardiographic evaluation of changes in left ventricular size and valvular regurgitation associated with physical training during and after maturity in Standardbred trotters.
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 240(2), 205-212.
https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.240.2.205 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Large Animal Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2630 Taastrup, Denmark. rib@life.ku.dk
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Echocardiography / veterinary
- Female
- Heart Valve Diseases / pathology
- Heart Valve Diseases / veterinary
- Heart Ventricles / anatomy & histology
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses
- Male
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 12 times.- Carstensen H, Nissen SD, Saljic A, Hesselkilde EM, van Hunnik A, Hohl M, Sattler SM, Fløgstad C, Hopster-Iversen C, Verheule S, Böhm M, Schotten U, Jespersen T, Buhl R. Long-Term Training Increases Atrial Fibrillation Sustainability in Standardbred Racehorses.. J Cardiovasc Transl Res 2023 Apr 4;.
- White R, Nath L, Hebart M, Franklin S. Assessment of P Wave Indices in Healthy Standardbred Horses.. Animals (Basel) 2023 Mar 16;13(6).
- Nissen SD, Weis R, Krag-Andersen EK, Hesselkilde EM, Isaksen JL, Carstensen H, Kanters JK, Linz D, Sanders P, Hopster-Iversen C, Jespersen T, Pehrson S, Buhl R. Electrocardiographic characteristics of trained and untrained standardbred racehorses.. J Vet Intern Med 2022 May;36(3):1119-1130.
- Berthoud D, Schwarzwald CC. Echocardiographic assessment of left ventricular size and systolic function in Warmblood horses using linear measurements, area-based indices, and volume estimates: A retrospective database analysis.. J Vet Intern Med 2021 Jan;35(1):504-520.
- Vernemmen I, Vera L, Van Steenkiste G, van Loon G, Decloedt A. Reference values for 2-dimensional and M-mode echocardiography in Friesian and Warmblood horses.. J Vet Intern Med 2020 Nov;34(6):2701-2709.
- Zhu C, Faillace V, Laus F, Bazzano M, Laghi L. Characterization of trotter horses urine metabolome by means of proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.. Metabolomics 2018 Aug 3;14(8):106.
- Buhl R, Carstensen H, Hesselkilde EZ, Klein BZ, Hougaard KM, Ravn KB, Loft-Andersen AV, Fenner MF, Pipper C, Jespersen T. Effect of induced chronic atrial fibrillation on exercise performance in Standardbred trotters.. J Vet Intern Med 2018 Jul;32(4):1410-1419.
- Shave R, Howatson G, Dickson D, Young L. Exercise-Induced Cardiac Remodeling: Lessons from Humans, Horses, and Dogs.. Vet Sci 2017 Feb 12;4(1).
- Trachsel DS, Giraudet A, Maso D, Hervé G, Hauri DD, Barrey E, Robert C. Relationships between body dimensions, body weight, age, gender, breed and echocardiographic dimensions in young endurance horses.. BMC Vet Res 2016 Oct 10;12(1):226.
- Huesler IM, Mitchell KJ, Schwarzwald CC. Echocardiographic Assessment of Left Atrial Size and Function in Warmblood Horses: Reference Intervals, Allometric Scaling, and Agreement of Different Echocardiographic Variables.. J Vet Intern Med 2016 Jul;30(4):1241-52.
- Ringmark S, Lindholm A, Hedenström U, Lindinger M, Dahlborn K, Kvart C, Jansson A. Reduced high intensity training distance had no effect on VLa4 but attenuated heart rate response in 2-3-year-old Standardbred horses.. Acta Vet Scand 2015 Mar 20;57(1):17.
- Reef VB, Bonagura J, Buhl R, McGurrin MK, Schwarzwald CC, van Loon G, Young LE. Recommendations for management of equine athletes with cardiovascular abnormalities.. J Vet Intern Med 2014 May-Jun;28(3):749-61.
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