Analyze Diet
The Veterinary clinics of North America. Equine practice2019; 35(1); 23-42; doi: 10.1016/j.cveq.2018.12.006

Examination of Horses with Cardiac Disease.

Abstract: Despite advances, increased convenience, and availability of echocardiography and other diagnostic techniques in equine cardiology, a comprehensive history and clinical examination still forms the essential first step in any cardiac evaluation. This article summarizes the approach to the cardiac examination at rest, highlighting key areas for the clinician to assess, and stressing the importance of context for assessing the significance of any abnormalities detected. Ancillary techniques, such as blood pressure measurement and the laboratory assessment of cardiac disease in the horse, are also introduced.
Publication Date: 2019-03-11 PubMed ID: 30871824DOI: 10.1016/j.cveq.2018.12.006Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
  • Journal Article
  • Review

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.

The research paper is about the diagnostic process for horse cardiac disease. It emphasizes the importance of comprehensive history taking and clinical examinations as the necessary initial step. The article elucidates on the application of echocardiography and other routine adjunct techniques in the assessment of equine cardiac ailments.

Introduction

The research explores the realm of equine cardiology, with a particular emphasis on the diagnostic process of cardiac diseases in horses. Despite the advancements in diagnostic techniques such as echocardiography for heart evaluations, the study argues the importance of classical methods like a detailed clinical examination and history taking as indispensible first steps.

Cardiac Examination at Rest

  • The paper illuminates on the approach towards examining horse cardiac health at rest. This is crucial because many cardiac disorders are more noticeable when the animal is at rest.
  • Key aspects to assess during this process are highlighted, although the specific areas are not given in the abstract. The need of evaluating these areas is stressed, considering they offer vital clues to the practitioner regarding the horse’s heart status.
  • Any abnormalities detected during such an examination should be understood in the proper context to appreciate their significance. This means the absence or presence of a certain feature does not always indicate a pathology and should be interpreted based on the individual horse’s overall clinical picture.

Ancillary Techniques

  • The article also introduces ancillary diagnostic methods, such as blood pressure measurement instruments and laboratory assessment methods in the evaluation of cardiac ailments.
  • These are adjuncts to the primary examination and are equally instrumental in offering a wholesome, rounded picture of the horse’s cardiac condition. They help in further pinpointing the problem and in comprehending the full scope of the disease.
  • Although not explicitly mentioned in the abstract, the article might further detail the pros, cons and the correct method to use these techniques for optimal results.

To conclude, the emphasis is on the need to always begin from basics like a thorough clinical examination before advancing to intricate diagnostic techniques. Despite new technologies, the research argues for the timeless value of an intimate understanding of the patient’s regular physiology and careful observation in successfully diagnosing equine cardiac disease.

Cite This Article

APA
Keen JA. (2019). Examination of Horses with Cardiac Disease. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract, 35(1), 23-42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cveq.2018.12.006

Publication

ISSN: 1558-4224
NlmUniqueID: 8511904
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 35
Issue: 1
Pages: 23-42
PII: S0749-0739(18)30078-6

Researcher Affiliations

Keen, John A
  • The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Easter Bush Campus, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK. Electronic address: john.keen@ed.ac.uk.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Echocardiography
  • Heart Diseases / diagnosis
  • Heart Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Heart Diseases / veterinary
  • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
  • Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Horses
  • Physical Examination

Citations

This article has been cited 7 times.
  1. Cruz-Aleixo AS, de Oliveira KC, de Oliveira Ferreira LV, Cedeo Quevedo DA, Cruz RKS, Tsunemi MH, Chiacchio SB, Lourenço MLG. Electrocardiographic and Echocardiographic Parameters in Pega Breed Donkeys: A Descriptive Study. Animals (Basel) 2023 Feb 27;13(5).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13050861pubmed: 36899718google scholar: lookup
  2. Pratt-Phillips S, Munjizun A. Impacts of Adiposity on Exercise Performance in Horses. Animals (Basel) 2023 Feb 14;13(4).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13040666pubmed: 36830453google scholar: lookup
  3. Eberhardt C, Schwarzwald CC. Focused cardiac ultrasound examination in the emergency and critical care horse: Training for non-specialist veterinarians and evaluation of proficiency. J Vet Intern Med 2022 Jul;36(4):1471-1480.
    doi: 10.1111/jvim.16446pubmed: 35657023google scholar: lookup
  4. Hövener J, Pokar J, Merle R, Gehlen H. Association between Cardiac Auscultation and Echocardiographic Findings in Warmblood Horses. Animals (Basel) 2021 Dec 5;11(12).
    doi: 10.3390/ani11123463pubmed: 34944240google scholar: lookup
  5. Schneider MJ, Piotrowski IL, Junge HK, van Steenkiste G, Vernemmen I, van Loon G, Schwarzwald CC. Application of Acoustic Cardiography in Assessment of Cardiac Function in Horses with Atrial Fibrillation Before and After Cardioversion. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jul 7;15(13).
    doi: 10.3390/ani15131993pubmed: 40646892google scholar: lookup
  6. Piotrowski IL, Junge HK, Schwarzwald CC. Evaluation of the Audicor Acoustic Cardiography Device as a Diagnostic Tool in Horses with Mitral or Aortic Valve Insufficiency. Animals (Basel) 2024 Jan 21;14(2).
    doi: 10.3390/ani14020331pubmed: 38275790google scholar: lookup
  7. Dufourni A, Buschmann E, Vernemmen I, Van Steenkiste G, van Loon G, Decloedt A. Effect of physiological and pharmacological stress on heart rate, blood pressure, and echocardiographic measurements in healthy Warmblood horses. J Vet Intern Med 2024 Jan-Feb;38(1):398-410.
    doi: 10.1111/jvim.16967pubmed: 38174810google scholar: lookup