Effect of light exercise on valvular regurgitation in standardbred trotters.
Abstract: Although valvular regurgitation is diagnosed frequently by colour Doppler echocardiography in racehorses at rest, there is currently no information about the effect of exercise on valvular regurgitation. Objective: To investigate the effect of light exercise on valvular regurgitation in a population of trotters. Methods: Standardbred trotters (n = 73) were examined by resting auscultation and echocardiography, of which 50 fullfilled the criteria of the study. Of these, 4 had reduced performance according to the trainers and were not included in the statistical analyses. Horses that showed valvular regurgitations diagnosed by colour Doppler echocardiography at rest, were light exercised and the regurgitant valves were then re-examined by colour Doppler echocardiography. Results: Of the 46 horses, 41 (89%) had one or more valvular regurgitations at rest with tricuspid regurgitation present in 83% of horses, mitral regurgitation 46%, pulmonary regurgitation 37% and aortic regurgitation 57%. After exercise, one or more valvular regurgitation persisted for 23 of the 41 horses (56%). The regurgitation decreased significantly for mitral, pulmonary and aortic valves; the mitral regurgitation persisted for 21% of the horses, pulmonary regurgitation persisted for 6% and aortic regurgitation persisted after exercise for 23 % with regurgitation diagnosed at rest. Half of those with tricuspid regurgitation at rest still had tricuspid regurgitation after exercise. Conclusions: The results of this study showed that the majority of small valvular regurgitations disappear after light exercise. However, the severity of tricuspid regurgitation increased in 4 horses. Furthermore, these horses were not performing satisfactorily according to the trainers. Conclusions: Studies in man have shown that severity after exercise suggests pathological regurgitation. The present study indicates that echocardiographic examination of valvular regurgitation after exercise might be a relevant examination in horses. However, more studies are needed to evaluate the effect of strenuous exercise on valvular regurgitation in horses.
Publication Date: 2007-04-04 PubMed ID: 17402415DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2006.tb05536.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research study examines the impact of light exercise on the occurrence of valvular regurgitation in standardbred trotters, a type of horse commonly used in racing. It concludes that most minor valvular regurgitations appear to lessen after such exercise, while significant tricuspid regurgitations may worsen.
Study Objectives and Methods
- The purpose of this research was to determine how light exercise affects valvular regurgitation in horses, a condition often detected at rest via color Doppler echocardiography.
- The scientists conducted echocardiographic examinations on 73 standardbred trotters at rest, and then again after light exercise. Out of this group, 50 horses met the study criteria.
- The horses with diagnosed valvular regurgitations at rest were selected for this study and re-examined after exercise.
- Four horses that were known to have reduced performance weren’t included in the statistical analysis.
Results of the Study
- From the analysed group of 46 horses, 41 showed signs of valvular regurgitations at rest. Tricuspid regurgitation was found in 83% of these horses, followed by mitral (46%), aortic (57%), and pulmonary (37%) regurgitation.
- Following light exercise, 23 of the 41 horses still showed one or more instances of valvular regurgitation.
- Notably, light exercise significantly decreased the prevalence of mitral, aortic, and pulmonary regurgitations, but not tricuspid regurgitation.
- Out of the horses with tricuspid regurgitation at rest, 50% remained affected after exercise.
Conclusions and Further Research
- The findings suggest that light exercise can mitigate minor valvular regurgitations in horses. Yet, in some cases, significant tricuspid regurgitation intensifies, leading to impaired performance in the affected horses.
- Building on studies carried out on humans, it’s suggested that examining a horse’s valvular regurgitation after exercise could be a valuable diagnostic practice, as persistent severity might be indicative of pathological regurgitation.
- However, the researchers note that further studies are needed to ascertain the effect of rigorous exercise on valvular regurgitation in horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Buhl R, Ersbøll AK.
(2007).
Effect of light exercise on valvular regurgitation in standardbred trotters.
Equine Vet J Suppl(36), 178-182.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2006.tb05536.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Large Animal Sciences, The Royal Veterinary andAgricultural University, 48 Dyrlaegevej, DK- 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Echocardiography, Doppler, Color / methods
- Echocardiography, Doppler, Color / veterinary
- Exercise Therapy
- Female
- Heart Valve Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Heart Valve Diseases / epidemiology
- Heart Valve Diseases / therapy
- Heart Valve Diseases / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / therapy
- Horses
- Male
- Mitral Valve Insufficiency / diagnostic imaging
- Mitral Valve Insufficiency / epidemiology
- Mitral Valve Insufficiency / therapy
- Mitral Valve Insufficiency / veterinary
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
- Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency / diagnostic imaging
- Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency / epidemiology
- Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency / therapy
- Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Dufourni A, Demeyere M, Vernemmen I, Van Steenkiste G, Verhaeghe LM, van Loon G, Decloedt A. Effect of N-Butylscopolammonium Bromide and Metamizol Sodium on Heart Rate, Blood Pressure, and Echocardiographic Measurements in Warmblood Horses With Aortic and Mitral Valve Regurgitation. J Vet Intern Med 2025 Nov-Dec;39(6):e70254.
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