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Cardiac troponin I concentrations in horses with colic
Olga M Seco Díaz1, Mary M Durando, Eric K Birks
1Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, PA 19348.
Insights
High cardiac troponin I (cTnI) concentrations in horses with colic indicate myocardial injury and are linked to ventricular arrhythmias and a poorer prognosis for recovery.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Cardiology
- Equine Internal Medicine
Background:
- Colic is a common cause of distress in horses.
- Myocardial injury can complicate the clinical course of colic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess myocardial injury in horses with colic using cardiac troponin I (cTnI).
- To investigate the relationship between cTnI levels, arrhythmias, and outcomes in colic cases.
Main Methods:
- Prospective observational study of 111 horses with colic.
- Measured cTnI concentrations at admission and post-treatment.
- Performed 24-hour ECG monitoring for arrhythmias.
Main Results:
- Elevated cTnI (≥ 0.10 ng/mL) at admission was associated with ventricular arrhythmias.
- High cTnI concentrations correlated with poorer outcomes and surgical treatment.
Conclusions:
- Elevated cTnI in horses with colic suggests myocardial damage.
- High cTnI levels indicate a higher likelihood of arrhythmias and a less favorable prognosis.
Objective:
To determine prevalence of myocardial injury in horses with colic on the basis of high concentrations of cardiac troponin I (cTnI), frequency of cardiac arrhythmias within the first 24 to 48 hours after hospital admission or surgery because of colic, and associations between high cTnI concentrations and cardiac arrhythmias, clinical course, and outcome (survival to discharge from hospital vs nonsurvival [death or euthanasia]).
Design:
Prospective observational study.
Animals:
111 horses with colic.
Procedures:
Blood was drawn at admission and 12 and 24 hours after admission if horses were treated medically or 12 and 24 hours after surgery if treated surgically. A 24-hour ambulatory ECG was recorded beginning the morning after admission in medically treated cases or after surgery and evaluated for arrhythmias. Clinical and clinicopathologic data and outcome were obtained. Associations between cTnI concentrations and other variables were determined.
Results:
An abnormal cTnI concentration (≥ 0.10 ng/mL) at admission was significantly associated with the occurrence of ventricular arrhythmias, outcome, and surgical treatment.
Conclusions And Clinical Relevance:
The data suggested that horses with colic and high cTnI concentrations at admission were more likely to have ventricular arrhythmias and have a less favorable prognosis for recovery. High cTnI concentrations in horses with colic were suggestive of myocardial damage.
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