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Heart rate variability parameters in horses distinguish atrial fibrillation from sinus rhythm before and after successful electrical cardioversion.
Abstract: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common pathological arrhythmia in horses. After successful treatment, recurrence is common. Heart rate monitors are easily applicable in horses and some devices offer basic heart rate variability (HRV) calculations. If HRV can be used to distinguish between AF and sinus rhythm (SR), this could become a monitoring tool for horses at risk for recurrence of AF. Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess whether in horses AF (before cardioversion) and SR (after cardioversion) can be differentiated based upon HRV parameters. Methods: Cohort study with internal controls. Methods: Six HRV parameters were determined in 20 horses, both in AF and in SR, at rest (2- and 5-min and 1- and 4-h recordings) and during exercise (walk and trot, 2-min recordings). Time-domain (standard deviation of the NN intervals, root mean squared successive differences in NN intervals and triangular index), frequency domain (low/high frequency ratio) and nonlinear parameters (standard deviation of the Poincaré plot [SD]1 and SD2) were used. Statistical analysis was done using paired Wilcoxon signed rank tests and receiver operating characteristic curves. Results: HRV was higher during AF compared to SR. Results for the detection of AF were good (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC] 0.8-1) for most HRV parameters. Root mean squared successive differences in NN intervals and SD1 yielded the best results (AUC 0.9-1). Sensitivity and specificity were high for all parameters at all recordings, but highest during exercise. Although AUCs improved with longer recordings, short recordings were also good (AUC 0.8-1) for the detection of AF. In horses with frequent second degree atrioventricular block, HRV at rest is increased and recordings at walk or trot are recommended. Conclusions: Animals served as their own controls and there was no long-term follow-up to identify AF recurrence. Conclusions: AF (before cardioversion) and SR (after cardioversion) could be distinguished with HRV. This technique has promise as a monitoring tool in horses at risk for AF development.
© 2017 EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 2017-04-24 PubMed ID: 28323361DOI: 10.1111/evj.12684Google 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
- Atrial Function
- Cardiac Arrhythmias
- Cardiovascular Health
- Clinical Findings
- Clinical Study
- Clinical Symptoms
- Diagnosis
- Diagnostic Technique
- Disease Diagnosis
- Disease Management
- Disease Treatment
- Electrocardiography
- Equine Health
- Exercise
- Exercise Physiology
- Heart Rate
- Horses
- Veterinary Care
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Procedure
- Veterinary Research
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 study aims to determine whether heart rate variability (HRV) parameters can differentiate between atrial fibrillation (AF) and sinus rhythm (SR) in horses, which could provide a diagnostic tool for horses at risk of AF reoccurrence.
Objective of the Study
The research sets out to explore if atrial fibrillation (AF), a common pathological arrhythmia in horses, can be differentiated from the normal sinus rhythm (SR) using heart rate variability parameters. This work arises from the need to have an effective tool to monitor horses susceptible to AF’s reoccurrence, especially since these animals often experience the condition again after successful treatment.
Methodology
- The methodology involves a cohort study composed of 20 horses, where each horse served as its own control.
- For both AF and SR status in horses, six heart rate variability parameters were determined at rest and during various physical activities such as walking and trotting.
- The researchers utilized time-domain parameters (like standard deviation of the NN intervals and root mean squared successive differences in NN intervals), frequency-domain parameters (such as low/high-frequency ratio), and nonlinear parameters (including standard deviation of the Poincaré plot).
- The statistical analysis involved paired Wilcoxon signed rank tests and receiver operating characteristic curves.
Results
- The findings showed that horses’ heart rate variability was higher during atrial fibrillation compared to the normal sinus rhythm.
- The detection of atrial fibrillation with most HRV parameters was good, with some like the root mean squared successive differences in NN intervals, providing excellent results.
- The sensitivity and specificity of all parameters were high, recording the highest during exercise.
- Even though the area under the curve (AUC) improved with longer recordings, short recordings still performed well in detecting atrial fibrillation.
Conclusions
In conclusion, the evidence suggests that it’s indeed possible to distinguish between atrial fibrillation and sinus rhythm in horses using HRV parameters. This discovery offers potential for developing a practical monitoring tool for equines at risk of atrial fibrillation, providing an easier, non-invasive way to monitor and prevent the reoccurrence of the condition. However, because the study made use of the subjects as their own control and didn’t incorporate long-term follow-up data, more research is needed to solidify these findings and develop the monitoring tool.
Cite This Article
APA
Broux B, De Clercq D, Decloedt A, Ven S, Vera L, van Steenkiste G, Mitchell K, Schwarzwald C, van Loon G.
(2017).
Heart rate variability parameters in horses distinguish atrial fibrillation from sinus rhythm before and after successful electrical cardioversion.
Equine Vet J, 49(6), 723-728.
https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.12684 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Large Animal Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
- Department of Large Animal Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
- Department of Large Animal Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
- Department of Large Animal Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
- Department of Large Animal Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
- Department of Large Animal Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
- Equine Clinic, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Equine Clinic, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Department of Large Animal Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Atrial Fibrillation / therapy
- Atrial Fibrillation / veterinary
- Cohort Studies
- Electric Countershock / veterinary
- Electrocardiography
- Female
- Heart Rate
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horse Diseases / therapy
- Horses
- Male
Citations
This article has been cited 14 times.- Wonghanchao T, Sanigavatee K, Pongnarudech P, Suchairat T, Jitsopin S, Wanichayanon B, Rattanakarn D, Jantakanangkoon P, Jaraswutiwong T, Kalanuson N, Simasurapoj N, Srisujja W, Tippayaratsoontorn S, Kranpan P, Charoenchanikran P, Poochipakorn C, Chanda M. Heart rate and heart rate variability responses during three exercise tests and recovery in horses participating in the Fédération Équestre Internationale Eventing World Challenge. BMC Vet Res 2025 Oct 24;21(1):631.
- Van den Branden E, Salamone M, Broothaers K, Peere S, Polfliet E, Dewulf M, Van Steenkiste G, van Loon G, Smits K, Govaere J. Physiological and behavioral parameters of pain and stress in mares during and after transvaginal ultrasound-guided follicular aspiration. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1574351.
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- McCrae P, Spong H, Golestani N, Mahnam A, Bashura Y, Pearson W. Validation of an Equine Smart Textile System for Heart Rate Variability: A Preliminary Study. Animals (Basel) 2023 Feb 1;13(3).
- Wundersitz DWT, Wright BJ, Gordon BA, Pompei S, Lavie CJ, Nadurata V, Nolan K, Kingsley MIC. Sympathovagal Balance Is a Strong Predictor of Post High-Volume Endurance Exercise Cardiac Arrhythmia. Front Physiol 2022;13:848174.
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- Buhl R, Nissen SD, Winther MLK, Poulsen SK, Hopster-Iversen C, Jespersen T, Sanders P, Carstensen H, Hesselkilde EM. Implantable loop recorders can detect paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in Standardbred racehorses with intermittent poor performance. Equine Vet J 2021 Sep;53(5):955-963.
- Gehlen H, Loschelder J, Merle R, Walther M. Evaluation of Stress Response under a Standard Euthanasia Protocol in Horses Using Analysis of Heart Rate Variability. Animals (Basel) 2020 Mar 13;10(3).
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- Broux B, De Clercq D, Vera L, Ven S, Deprez P, Decloedt A, van Loon G. Can heart rate variability parameters derived by a heart rate monitor differentiate between atrial fibrillation and sinus rhythm?. BMC Vet Res 2018 Oct 25;14(1):320.
- Wierig M, Mandtler LP, Rottmann P, Stroh V, Müller U, Büscher W, Plümer L. Recording Heart Rate Variability of Dairy Cows to the Cloud-Why Smartphones Provide Smart Solutions. Sensors (Basel) 2018 Aug 3;18(8).
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