Effect of left-sided valvular regurgitation on mortality and causes of death among a population of middle-aged and older horses.
Abstract: The effect of left-sided valvular regurgitation (LSVR) on the mortality of middle-aged and older horses was investigated in a prospective cohort study involving 19 yards and 1153 horses. The horses were examined to determine whether they had a cardiac murmur and its type, and their age, sex, breed type and occupation were recorded. They were followed up at intervals of two years by postal questionnaire, and after four years information on 773 horses was available. There was no significant difference in the mortality of the horses with and without LSVR, but small horses had a significantly higher risk of having LSVR than small ponies (odds ratio [OR] 2.33), and older horses were slightly more likely to have LSVR than young horses (OR 1.07). Twenty-nine per cent of the deaths reported by the owners were due to orthopaedic problems, 23.3 per cent to gastrointestinal problems, and only 7.9 per cent to cardiovascular problems. Orthopaedic problems were the main cause of death in the horses, and gastrointestinal problems were the main cause of death in the ponies.
Publication Date: 2009-01-06 PubMed ID: 19122214DOI: 10.1136/vr.164.1.6Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The study investigates how left-sided valvular regurgitation (LSVR), a heart condition, impacts the mortality rates in horses of middle and older age groups. The results found no significant difference in mortality, but did find a higher risk of LSVR in small horses and older horses. Most reported deaths were due to orthopaedic problems and gastrointestinal issues more than cardiovascular ones.
Introduction and Methodology
- In this research, the authors aimed to explore how left-sided valvular regurgitation (LSVR), a heart condition, influenced the mortality rates among middle-aged and senior horses.
- This was a prospective cohort-type study that included 1153 horses from 19 different yards.
- The horses underwent assessments to determine if they exhibited a cardiac murmur. Details about their age, sex, breed type, and occupation were recorded for data analysis purposes.
- Data for this study was gathered over a four-year span, with follow-ups every two years conducted via postal surveys. After four years, information on 773 horses was collected and ready for analysis.
Key Findings
- The survey reports did not show any statistically significant difference in mortality rates concerning horses with or without LSVR.
- However, the data revealed that smaller-built horses exhibited a markedly higher risk of carrying LSVR as compared to ponies of similar size. The odds ratio (OR) was 2.33 illustrating this substantial risk difference.
- Further, older horses seemed slightly more likely to have LSVR compared to their younger counterparts, with an odds ratio value of 1.07.
- Although the primary study was oriented around heart conditions like LSVR, the deaths reported during the study timeframe showed different prevalent causes. Around seven per cent of the deaths were a result of cardiovascular issues, while a much larger percentage was linked either to orthopaedic problems (29%) or gastrointestinal issues (23.3%).
- Orthopaedic issues accounted for most horse deaths, while it was gastrointestinal problems causing the majority of deaths in ponies.
Conclusion
- The study concludes that while LSVR does pose a risk for middle-aged and older horses, it might not significantly contribute towards overall mortality rates in comparison with other health complications like orthopaedic and gastrointestinal problems.
Cite This Article
APA
Stevens KB, Marr CM, Horn JN, Pfeiffer DU, Perkins JD, Bowen IM, Allan EJ, Campbell J, Elliott J.
(2009).
Effect of left-sided valvular regurgitation on mortality and causes of death among a population of middle-aged and older horses.
Vet Rec, 164(1), 6-10.
https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.164.1.6 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Royal Veterinary College, Hertfordshire, UK. kstevens@rvc.ac.uk
MeSH Terms
- Age Distribution
- Animals
- Aortic Valve Insufficiency / mortality
- Aortic Valve Insufficiency / veterinary
- Cause of Death
- Cohort Studies
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Heart Murmurs / diagnosis
- Heart Murmurs / epidemiology
- Heart Murmurs / veterinary
- Heart Ventricles
- Horse Diseases / mortality
- Horses
- Male
- Mitral Valve Insufficiency / mortality
- Mitral Valve Insufficiency / veterinary
- Surveys and Questionnaires
- Survival Analysis
- United Kingdom / epidemiology
Citations
This article has been cited 6 times.- Aleixo ASC, Ferreira DOL, Tsunemi MH, Chiacchio SB, Lourenço MLG. Influence of Dorper lamb development from birth to 120 days of age on clinical and echocardiographic parameters.. Sci Rep 2022 Nov 17;12(1):19726.
- Khalesi H, Sakha M, Veshkini A, Rezakhani A. Assessing the cardiac valves conditions in athletic horses with poor performance.. Vet Res Forum 2022 Sep;13(3):423-429.
- Decloedt A, Ven S, De Clercq D, Rademakers F, van Loon G. Assessment of left ventricular function in horses with aortic regurgitation by 2D speckle tracking.. BMC Vet Res 2020 Mar 20;16(1):93.
- Boegli J, Schwarzwald CC, Mitchell KJ. Diagnostic value of noninvasive pulse pressure measurements in Warmblood horses with aortic regurgitation.. J Vet Intern Med 2019 May;33(3):1446-1455.
- Seddighi R, Doherty TJ. Anesthesia of the geriatric equine.. Vet Med (Auckl) 2012;3:53-64.
- 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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