AI Article Synopsis
- Cardiac arrhythmias had not been previously studied in horses during swimming, leading to an observational study with 16 horses swimming five pool lengths while their heart activity was monitored through electrocardiograms (ECGs).
- The study found that 94% of the horses experienced at least one type of arrhythmia, mostly during the pre-swim phase, but the occurrences were generally low and non-life-threatening.
- This research provides insight into equine heart health during swimming, highlighting that while arrhythmias can occur, they are usually isolated and not indicative of serious issues.
Article Abstract
Background: Cardiac arrhythmias have not been previously reported in horses while swimming.
Objectives: To describe the type and frequency of encountered arrhythmias during repetitive swimming cycles.
Study Design: Descriptive observational study.
Methods: Sixteen horses swam five pool lengths (75 m), each separated by an active recovery walk. Continuous electrocardiograms (ECGs) were recorded (n = 80) and analysed during the pre-swim, swim and active-recovery periods. Arrhythmias were categorised as sinus arrhythmia (SA), sinus block, sinus pause (compensatory and non-compensatory), second degree atrioventricular block (2AVB) for physiological arrhythmias, supraventricular premature depolarisation (SVPD) and ventricular premature depolarisation (VPD) for non-physiological arrhythmias. A linear mixed-effects model was used to examine the effects of repetitive swim lengths on arrhythmias and swimming parameters. Data were reported as median [interquartile range].
Results: Fifteen horses (94%) experienced at least one arrhythmia; however, the frequency remained low and 2AVB were only observed during the pre-swim period. The swimming heart rate (HR) was 162 bpm [141;173]. Sinus blocks, sinus pauses, SA, SVPD and VPD were all recorded at least once during swimming. Except for one VPD couplet, all premature depolarisations were isolated. During active-recovery, the HR was 105 bpm [103;106], with SA observed in 13 horses (81%), isolated SVPD in six horses (38%), sinus pause in one horse (6%) but no VPD present.
Main Limitations: Limited number of horses precluding population prevalence assessment.
Conclusion And Clinical Importance: High-quality underwater ECGs were acquired in swimming horses for the first time. The frequency of arrhythmias remained low and rare pathological arrhythmias were observed during repetitive swimming and active-recovery cycles. Swimming with active-recovery periods is not a high-risk cardio-arrhythmic exercise.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/evj.13895 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Right ventricular subclinical dysfunction in high-burden idiopathic outflow tract premature ventricular contraction population.
J Interv Card Electrophysiol
January 2025
Divison of Arrhythmia, Cardiology and Vascular Department, St. David's Medical Center, Austin, TX, USA.
Background: The relationship between premature ventricular contractions (PVC) and right ventricular (RV) function is not widely known. Left ventricular (LV) dysfunction due to PVC is known as PVC-induced cardiomyopathy (PIC) and suppressing the PVC substrate would improve LV function. The effect of PVC ablation on changes in RV function in patients with subtle RV subclinical dysfunction remains unknown.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAtrial FDG Uptake: Etiologies, Clinical Significance, and Implications.
Curr Cardiol Rep
January 2025
Department of Medical Imaging, Montreal Heart Institute, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
Purpose Of Review: This review aims to explore the clinical significance of atrial fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake observed in positron emission tomography (PET) scans, focusing on its association with atrial fibrillation (AF), cardiac sarcoidosis, and myocarditis. We discuss the implications of atrial uptake for patient management and prognosis.
Recent Findings: Recent studies have demonstrated that atrial FDG uptake is frequently present in patients with AF, particularly those with persistent AF, and is linked to increased risks of stroke and poorer outcomes after ablation.
Optimizing Digoxin Use for Rate Control in Critically Ill Patients with Atrial Arrhythmias: Lessons from a Retrospective Study.
J Cardiovasc Pharmacol
January 2025
Department of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Sciences, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Largo Francesco Vito, 1, Rome 00168, Italy.
Post-operative new-onset atrial fibrillation (POAF) is a possible complication following cardiac surgery. Digoxin is a drug with positive inotropic and negative chronotropic effects and is listed among antiarrhythmic drugs that can be prescribed in dogs with atrial fibrillation. This report aims at describing the use of digoxin in two dogs with persistent POAF after mitral valve repair.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA Brief History of Clinical Electrocardiography: A Century After Einthoven's Nobel Prize.
Cardiol Rev
January 2025
From the Department of Cardiology, Phelps Memorial Hospital/Northwell Health, Sleepy Hollow, NY.
The invention of the string galvanometer by Willem Einthoven in 1901 ushered in a new era of clinical investigation. Previous instruments were capable only of rudimentary measurements that were of limited utility. Advances in physiology and engineering allowed Einthoven to construct a device that was uniquely capable of recording the minute electrical currents of the heart.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!