M-mode echocardiographs of endurance horses in the recovery phase of long-distance competition.
Abstract: M-mode echocardiographic structures, and cardiac function indices, PCV, and total plasma protein values were determined for 34 endurance equine athletes before (base line) and after (after race) a 161-km endurance competition and were compared. The PCV (base-line mean, 37%; after-race mean, 46%) and total plasma protein value (base-line mean, 6.9 g/dl; after-race mean, 7.5 g/dl) increased. Compared with base-line echocardiography, after-race echocardiography indicated an increase in heart rate, as determined from the simultaneous ECG recorded on the echocardiograph (base-line mean, 41 beats/min; after-race mean, 54 beats/min), and an increase in interventricular septal diastolic thickness (base-line mean, 28 mm; after-race mean, 33 mm). The septal thickening fraction (base-line mean, 59%; after-race mean, 38%), the left atrioventricular valve E to F slope (base-line mean, 224 mm/s; after-race mean, 175 mm/s), the left ventricular diastolic dimension (base-line mean, 99 mm; after-race mean, 86 mm), the fractional shortening of the left ventricle (base-line mean, 41%; after-race mean, 37%), the aortic root dimension (base-line mean, 63 mm; after-race mean, 58 mm), the caudal aortic wall excursion (base-line mean, 19 mm; after-race mean, 11 mm) and the left atrial diastolic dimension (base-line mean, 46 mm; after-race mean, 39 mm), decreased significantly (P less than 0.05). In base-line echocardiographs, late diastolic left atrioventricular valve motion was evident in 9 horses. The aberrant left atrioventricular valve motion was not evident in after-race echocardiographs. Seemingly, central vascular volume decreased in these horses during the recovery phase of severe strenuous endurance competition.
Publication Date: 1987-12-01 PubMed ID: 3434918
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The study documents how the heart measurements and functionality of endurance horses altered after participating in a long-distance race, indicating that such rigorous activity leads to significant changes in their cardiovascular health.
Study Design and Measurements
- The researchers evaluated M-mode echocardiographic structures and cardiac function indices, Packed Cell Volume (PCV), and total plasma protein values for 34 endurance horses, both before and after a 161-km endurance competition.
- The M-mode echo was used to analyze various cardiac structures and record an electrocardiogram (ECG) for measuring heart rate.
- The packed cell volume (PCV) and total plasma protein values were used as a measure of blood characteristics.
Effects of Endurance Competition
- The researchers observed noticeable changes after the race. Both the PCV and total plasma protein values increased, indicating alterations in blood composition.
- An increased heart rate was also recorded from the simultaneous ECG documented on the echocardiograph.
- Significant changes in various heart dimensions were noted, such as the increase in interventricular septal diastolic thickness and the decrease in septal thickening fraction and the left atrioventricular valve E to F slope.
- Other echo-derived parameters, including the left ventricular diastolic dimension, the fractional shortening of the left ventricle, the aortic root dimension, the caudal aortic wall excursion, and the left atrial diastolic dimension, also decreased significantly.
Special Observations
- In the baseline echocardiographs, late diastolic left atrioventricular valve motion was observed in nine horses, suggesting variations in heart functions even before the race.
- Fascinatingly, this irregular left atrioventricular valve motion was not observed in the post-race echocardiographs.
- The overall findings suggest that the central vascular volume of these horses decreased during the recovery phase of the high-stress endurance competition.
Cite This Article
APA
Bertone JJ, Paull KS, Wingfield WE, Boon JA.
(1987).
M-mode echocardiographs of endurance horses in the recovery phase of long-distance competition.
Am J Vet Res, 48(12), 1708-1712.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80523.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Echocardiography / veterinary
- Female
- Heart / anatomy & histology
- Heart / physiology
- Horses / physiology
- Male
- Myocardial Contraction
- Physical Endurance
- Physical Exertion
- Species Specificity
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