Heritability of sudden cardiac death in Thoroughbred racehorses.

Background: Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is an important cause of exercise-associated fatalities in Thoroughbred racehorses. Equine deaths share similarities with fatalities in human athletes that result from inherited cardiac disease. Whilst genetic causes have been postulated in horses, these have not been confirmed and heritability of SCD has not previously been estimated in Thoroughbred racehorses.

Associations between postrace atrial fibrillation and measures of performance, racing history and airway disease in horses.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common performance limiting arrhythmia in racehorses. High dose exercise and airway disease promote AF in humans. Few studies have investigated epidemiological factors associated with AF in horses.

Assessment of P Wave Indices in Healthy Standardbred Horses.

P wave indices are used as non-invasive electrocardiographic markers of atrial remodelling in humans. Few studies have investigated their use in animals. The aim of this study was to measure P wave duration and P wave dispersion (Pd) in healthy standardbred horses and investigate variables that might influence these measurements.

Risk Factors for Exercise-Associated Sudden Cardiac Death in Thoroughbred Racehorses.

Cardiac arrhythmias resulting in sudden cardiac death (SCD) are an important cause of racehorse fatalities. The objective of this study was to determine risk factors for SCD in Thoroughbreds by evaluating a sample with a policy of mandatory post-mortem following racing or training fatalities. Risk factors were compared between case horses with SCD (n = 57) and control horses with other fatal injury (OFI, n = 188) by univariable and multivariable logistic regression.

Incidence, recurrence, and outcome of postrace atrial fibrillation in Thoroughbred horses.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) impacts performance and horse and jockey safety. Understanding the outcomes of AF identified postrace will better inform regulatory policy.

Hypothesis/objectives: To investigate the outcomes after episodes of AF identified postrace and determine whether affected horses are at increased risk of additional episodes compared to the general racing population.

Clinicopathologic evidence of myocardial injury in horses with acute abdominal disease.

Objective: To determine whether there is evidence of myocardial injury in horses with acute abdominal disease.

Design: Prospective case series.

Animals: 18 healthy horses and 69 horses with acute abdominal disease.

Use of stored equine colostrum for the treatment of foals perceived to be at risk for failure of transfer of passive immunity.

OBJECTIVE-To assess the use of stored equine colostrum for the treatment of foals perceived to be at risk for failure of transfer of passive immunity (FTPI). DESIGN-Cohort study. ANIMALS-232 Thoroughbred foals and 191 Thoroughbred mares (41 mares gave birth to 1 foal on 2 occasions).