Two-dimensional, M-mode and left atrial velocity echocardiographic measurements in healthy Norwegian-Swedish Coldblooded Trotters.
Abstract: The Norwegian-Swedish Coldblooded Trotter (NSCT) is an important breed in Norwegian and Swedish harness racing. In spite of this, little is known about its cardiac measurements and factors that may influence these. The aims of this study were to establish reference intervals (RI) for a series of conventional echocardiographic variables, primarily of the left heart, in NSCTs in race training and to evaluate any effects age, gender, estimated body weight (EBW), number of starts and racing performance may have on these. Methods: Sixty-three apparently healthy NSCTs in race training. Methods: Observational study, convenience sampling. All horses were examined unsedated in their normal stabling environment. Auscultatory and echocardiographic examinations were performed. Means, standard deviations, medians and confidence intervals of the RI limits were used to summarize the data. The relationship between selected echocardiographic variables and age, gender, EBW, racing performance and number of starts were explored using linear regression analyses. Results: Reference intervals were determined for routinely used echocardiographic variables. Data for left atrial velocity were also obtained. Increasing age, number of starts and money earned significantly increased all cardiac measurements. Males had significantly higher ventricular measurements than females. Great vessel measurements increased with increasing EBW. Horses with faster recorded racing times had generally significantly increased cardiac measurements. Clinically insignificant valvular regurgitation was a common finding, particularly at the tricuspid and pulmonary valves. Conclusions: The RIs described and the factors that may affect these will assist clinicians in interpreting echocardiograms of NSCTs with suspected cardiac disease or poor performance.
Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2020-05-04 PubMed ID: 32505882DOI: 10.1016/j.jvc.2020.04.006Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research studied the cardiac measurements of the Norwegian-Swedish Coldblooded Trotter breed used in harness racing, as very little is known about them. The study established reference intervals for a series of conventional echocardiographic variables, focusing on the left heart, and investigated the effect of factors like age, gender, body weight, racing performance, and the number of starts on these variables.
Methodology
- The research was an observational study involving 63 healthy Norwegian-Swedish Coldblooded Trotters that were in race training.
- Gathering of data was done in a convenience sampling method and the horses were all examined unsedated in their normal stabling environment.
- Both auscultatory and echocardiographic examining methods were used on the horses.
- Statistics including the means, standard deviations, medians and confidence intervals of the Reference Interval (RI) limits were used to summarize the collected data.
- Linear regression analyses were employed to study the relationship between chosen echocardiographic variables and the factors such as age, gender, estimated body weight (EBW), racing performance, and number of starts.
Results
- Reference Intervals (RIs) were determined for regularly used echocardiographic variables and data for left atrial velocity were also collected.
- It was discovered that increasing age, number of starts and money earned significantly led to an increase in all the cardiac measurements.
- Males were found to have significantly larger ventricular measurements compared to females.
- It was also found that an increase in the measurement of great vessels correlated with an increase in the estimated body weight.
- The horses with faster recorded racing times usually had significantly larger cardiac measurements.
- The research also found that clinically insignificant valvular regurgitation was a common finding, particularly at the tricuspid and pulmonary valves.
Conclusion
- The results of this research will aid clinicians in interpreting echocardiograms of Norwegian-Swedish Coldblooded Trotters with suspected cardiac disease or poor performance.
- This study provides valuable data by establishing RIs and highlighting the factors that may influence the cardiac measurements of this breed.
Cite This Article
APA
Fintl C, Krontveit R, Risberg Å, Hanche-Olsen S, Slack J.
(2020).
Two-dimensional, M-mode and left atrial velocity echocardiographic measurements in healthy Norwegian-Swedish Coldblooded Trotters.
J Vet Cardiol, 29, 60-73.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvc.2020.04.006 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Biosciences, PO Box 8146 Dep, N-0033 Oslo, Norway. Electronic address: Constanze.Fintl@nmbu.no.
- Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Biosciences, PO Box 8146 Dep, N-0033 Oslo, Norway.
- Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Biosciences, PO Box 8146 Dep, N-0033 Oslo, Norway.
- Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Biosciences, PO Box 8146 Dep, N-0033 Oslo, Norway.
- Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania, 382 West Street Road, 19348 Kennett Square, PA, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Age Factors
- Animals
- Atrial Function
- Body Weight
- Echocardiography / methods
- Echocardiography / veterinary
- Female
- Heart / diagnostic imaging
- Heart / physiology
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Horses / physiology
- Male
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
- Reference Values
- Sex Factors
Conflict of Interest Statement
Conflicts of Interest Statement The authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Selecky ME, Louie EW, Donnelly C, Finno CJ, Morgan JM. Reference Values and Association of Body Weight, Age, and Sex With Echocardiographic Measurements in Non-Athletic Quarter Horses. J Vet Intern Med 2025 Sep-Oct;39(5):e70237.
- Santos MM, Ramos GV, de Figueiredo IM, Silva TCBV, Lacerda-Neto JC. Cardiac Changes after Lactate-Guided Conditioning in Young Purebred Arabian Horses. Animals (Basel) 2023 May 29;13(11).
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