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Temporary transvenous atrial pacing in horses: threshold determination
G van Loon1, H Laevens, P Deprez
1Department of Large Animal Internal Medicine, University of Ghent, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Equine Veterinary Journal
|May 16, 2001
Summary
This study determined the atrial strength-duration curve in horses using temporary atrial pacing. This method helps understand cardiac electrophysiology and can terminate arrhythmias.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Cardiology
- Cardiac Electrophysiology
Background:
- Atrial arrhythmias and conduction abnormalities require precise electrophysiological assessment.
- Understanding atrial capture thresholds is crucial for effective pacing strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish the atrial strength-duration (S-D) curve in horses.
- To evaluate methods for determining atrial capture thresholds.
- To assess the utility of temporary atrial pacing in equine cardiology.
Main Methods:
- Temporary atrial pacing was performed in 7 horses using a pacing catheter and electrical pulse generator.
- Three methods for atrial threshold determination were compared: stimulus reduction, fixed pulse width, and fixed amplitude.
- A hybrid method combining fixed pulse width and fixed amplitude was identified as optimal for calculating the S-D curve.
Main Results:
- The atrial strength-duration curve was successfully determined in horses.
- A hybrid method combining fixed pulse width and fixed amplitude proved most effective for S-D curve calculation.
- Temporary atrial pacing provided insights into equine cardiac electrophysiological properties.
Conclusions:
- Temporary atrial pacing is a viable method for determining the atrial strength-duration curve in horses.
- The established S-D curve aids in understanding atrial electrophysiology and optimizing pacing parameters.
- This technique can be used to manage atrial flutter, induce arrhythmias, and assess electrophysiological properties like refractory period and conduction.