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Journal of veterinary internal medicine2017; 31(3); 884-889; doi: 10.1111/jvim.14682

Third-Degree Atrioventricular Block and Collapse Associated with Eosinophilic Myocarditis in a Horse.

Abstract: Third-degree atrioventricular block (AVB) and primary inflammatory myocarditis are uncommon findings in horses. The horse of this report presented for collapse at rest and was found to have multiple cardiac arrhythmias, most notably 3rd-degree AVB. The horse was subsequently diagnosed with eosinophilic myocarditis on necropsy, a rare form of myocarditis not previously reported in horses. Despite extensive testing, an etiologic agent could not be identified, illustrating the difficulty in identifying a specific cause of myocarditis in horses.
Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
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Publication Date: 2017-03-14 PubMed ID: 28295606PubMed Central: PMC5435066DOI: 10.1111/jvim.14682Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 documents a rare case of eosinophilic myocarditis – a form of heart inflammation – in a horse, which resulted in unusual heart block and collapse. The cause of this unusual case could not be identified, indicating the challenges in determining the root cause of myocarditis in equines.

Introduction and Clinical Presentation

  • The research focuses on an atypical health case in a horse. The equine presented symptoms of collapse at rest, which raised suspicion of an unexpected health condition.
  • After diagnosis, it was ascertained that the horse showed signs of multiple cardiac arrhythmias, particularly a 3rd-degree atrioventricular block (AVB). AVB is a type of heart block wherein the electrical signals between the atria and ventricles in the heart are completely blocked. It is an unusual finding in horses.

Diagnosis and Results

  • Further examination and testing revealed that the horse suffered from eosinophilic myocarditis. This is a unique form of myocarditis characterized by inflammation of the myocardium (heart muscle), primarily due to the infiltration of eosinophils, a type of white blood cell.
  • The diagnosis was confirmed through a necropsy, an autopsy performed on animals. The presence of eosinophilic myocarditis in this horse is noteworthy due to its rarity, this being the first reported instance of this specific condition in equines.

Challenges in Identifying the Cause

  • The researchers carried out extensive testing in an attempt to identify the cause or etiological agent responsible for triggering eosinophilic myocarditis in the horse. However, in spite of rigorous examination, they were unable to pin-point any specific cause.
  • This unavailability of an identified agent reflects the common difficulty faced by veterinarians and scientists in determining the exact etiological agents of myocarditis in horses, thus adding to the complexity of its diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

Cite This Article

APA
Luethy D, Slack J, Kraus MS, Gelzer AR, Habecker P, Johnson AL. (2017). Third-Degree Atrioventricular Block and Collapse Associated with Eosinophilic Myocarditis in a Horse. J Vet Intern Med, 31(3), 884-889. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.14682

Publication

Journal of veterinary internal medicine
ISSN: 1939-1676
NlmUniqueID: 8708660
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 31
Issue: 3
Pages: 884-889

Researcher Affiliations

Luethy, D
  • Department of Clinical Studies-New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, PA.
Slack, J
  • Department of Clinical Studies-New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, PA.
Kraus, M S
  • Ryan Veterinary Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.
Gelzer, A R
  • Ryan Veterinary Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.
Habecker, P
  • Department of Clinical Studies-New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, PA.
Johnson, A L
  • Department of Clinical Studies-New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, PA.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Atrioventricular Block / etiology
  • Atrioventricular Block / physiopathology
  • Atrioventricular Block / veterinary
  • Electrocardiography / veterinary
  • Eosinophilia / complications
  • Eosinophilia / diagnosis
  • Eosinophilia / pathology
  • Eosinophilia / veterinary
  • Female
  • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
  • Horse Diseases / pathology
  • Horse Diseases / physiopathology
  • Horses
  • Myocarditis / complications
  • Myocarditis / pathology
  • Myocarditis / veterinary

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Nissen SD, Saljic A, Kjeldsen ST, Jespersen T, Hopster-Iversen C, Buhl R. Cartilaginous Intrusion of the Atrioventricular Node in a Quarter Horse with a High Burden of Second-Degree AV Block and Collapse: A Case Report. Animals (Basel) 2022 Oct 24;12(21).
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  2. Natterson-Horowitz B, Wright K, Van Steenkiste G, Decloedt A, Gagnon AL, Cai X, Mazmanian A. Arrhythmias across the tree of life: comparative insights for human electrophysiology. Front Cardiovasc Med 2025;12:1652591.
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  3. Avison A, Gelzer AR, Reef VB, Wulster Bills KB, de Solis CN, Kraus MS, Slack J, Stefanovski D, Deacon LJ, Underwood C. Twenty-four hour continuous transvenous temporary right ventricular pacing in healthy horses. J Vet Intern Med 2024 May-Jun;38(3):1751-1764.
    doi: 10.1111/jvim.17027pubmed: 38514200google scholar: lookup
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