Torsemide can be used for long-term management of congestive heart failure in equids: a description of 12 cases (2019-2024).

This research study investigates the effectiveness of Torsemide, an oral loop diuretic, as a long-term management treatment for congestive heart failure (CHF) in horses and other equids. The results suggest that Torsemide can potentially be a useful and well-tolerated oral diuretic for equids diagnosed with CHF.

Research Method

• The study is retrospective and descriptive, aimed at understanding the application of Torsemide in treating equids with CHF.
• The sample comprised of 12 equids that included 10 horses, a miniature donkey, and a mule, all of which presented signs of CHF.
• Echocardiography confirmed the diagnosis of CHF in these equids.
• Post-diagnosis, the subjects were treated with Torsemide and other cardiac medications.
• The subjects were monitored through physical examinations, clinic-pathologic data analysis, and repeated echocardiograms.

Research Outcome

• Torsemide was well tolerated in all the 12 cases, with no serious adverse events reported.
• Post-treatment, improvements in heart and respiratory rates were observed in the subjects.
• Treatment led to increases in plasma creatinine concentration, indicating diuretic response after therapeutic interventions.
• The median survival time for equids treated with Torsemide was 189 days, with distinct survival clusters. Four cases had to be euthanized within two weeks post-treatment, while eight survived longer than 137 days or are still alive.

Conclusions and Limitations

• Torsemide has the potential to be an effective oral diuretic for managing CHF in equids.
• However, this study does not conclusively prove that Torsemide directly impacted the clinical progression due to its retrospective nature. Further studies may be needed to demonstrate a causal relationship.