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Veterinary sciences2023; 10(8); doi: 10.3390/vetsci10080518

Electrocardiographic Reference Values in Clinically Healthy Lusitano Horses.

Abstract: The Lusitano horse is gaining popularity in the equestrian world, and as a result, the significance of applied sports medicine for this breed is growing. As cardiology plays a crucial role in this field, numerous studies have been conducted to establish electrocardiographic reference values in various breeds to ensure a more accurate evaluation. However, studies regarding healthy Lusitano horses are lacking. So, this study aimed to establish electrocardiographic reference values for Lusitano horses, utilizing a sample of 82 clinically healthy animals. The evaluation involved lead II and base-apex lead measurements, with a median heart rate of 39 beats per minute being recorded. The P wave demonstrated a predominantly bifid configuration, while the QRS complex exhibited various forms. The most common QRS configurations were QR and R in lead II, and RS in the base-apex lead. Additionally, most T waves displayed a biphasic shape in both methods. Furthermore, statistically significant differences were noted based on age and gender. Some of the electrocardiographic values obtained differed from those previously published for other breeds. Given the relevance of electrocardiogram in cardiovascular evaluation, these findings bring valuable insights regarding the specific parameters for Lusitano horse and emphasize the importance of obtaining breed-specific electrocardiographic reference values.
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Publication Date: 2023-08-10 PubMed ID: 37624305PubMed Central: PMC10459813DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10080518Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

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 sets out the results of a study aiming to establish reference values for electrocardiogram recordings in healthy Lusitano horses. The findings may assist in the accurate cardiovascular evaluation of horses from this breed and highlight the need for specific reference values for each breed.

Study Overview

  • The main aim of the paper was to establish reference values for electrocardiogram measurements in healthy Lusitano horses.
  • This breed is becoming increasingly popular in equestrian sports, therefore implying a growing need for research like this one, with the goal of improving the accuracy of cardiovascular evaluations.
  • Up until this point, there were not enough studies specifically focused on the Lusitano breed.

Methodology and Measurements

  • To arrive at the desirable results, a total of 82 clinically healthy Lusitano horses were used as the sample group for the study.
  • An electrocardiogram examination was performed on each horse, from which recordings from lead II and base-apex lead measurements were taken.
  • A median heart rate of 39 beats per minute was recorded over the course of the examination.

Findings

  • From the collected data, the study found that the P wave usually shown a predominantly bifid configuration, while the QRS complex configurations varied more.
  • The most common configurations for the QRS complex were QR and R in the lead II position, and RS in the base-apex lead.
  • Most T waves were observed to have a biphasic shape across both measurement methods.
  • The paper also reported that there were statistically significant differences in certain values when they were compared based on age and gender variables.
  • Some of the values obtained in this study differed from those that have been published in the past for different breeds, suggesting that breed-specific reference values are crucial for accurate cardiovascular evaluation.

Significance

  • This research contributes valuable insight into the detailed cardiovascular parameters of the Lusitano horse breed.
  • The findings of this study underline the importance of having specific electrocardiographic reference values for each breed.
  • The results should help to improve the accuracy of cardiovascular evaluations for Lusitano horses in the future, enabling better health management and potentially enhancing performance in equestrian sports.

Cite This Article

APA
Triguinho A, Fontes-Sousa AP, Pimenta J, Cotovio M. (2023). Electrocardiographic Reference Values in Clinically Healthy Lusitano Horses. Vet Sci, 10(8). https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci10080518

Publication

Veterinary sciences
ISSN: 2306-7381
NlmUniqueID: 101680127
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 10
Issue: 8

Researcher Affiliations

Triguinho, Alexandre
  • Independent Veterinary Care, Chapelfield Veterinary Partnership, Brooke Equine Clinic, Bungay Road, Brooke, Norwich NR15 1DX, UK.
Fontes-Sousa, Ana Patrícia
  • Department of Immuno-Physiology and Pharmacology, Abel Salazar Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
  • Center for Drug Discovery and Innovative Medicines (MedInUP), Abel Salazar Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
  • UPVET, Veterinary Hospital of Abel Salazar Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
Pimenta, José
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal.
  • CECAV-Veterinary and Animal Research Center, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal.
  • Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal.
Cotovio, Mário
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal.
  • CECAV-Veterinary and Animal Research Center, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal.
  • Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal.

Grant Funding

  • UIDP/CVT/00772/2020 and LA/P/0059/2020 / Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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