Assessment of the Cardiovascular System in Horses During Prepurchase and Insurance Examinations

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Cardiology
• Equine Sports Medicine

Background:

• Arrhythmias and murmurs are common findings in horses during pre-purchase examinations.
• The clinical significance and prognostic implications of these findings require further clarification.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline diagnostic protocols for arrhythmias and murmurs detected during equine pre-purchase examinations.
• To identify cardiac abnormalities and their hemodynamic impact.
• To assess the insurability and prognosis for performance horses with cardiac conditions.

Main Methods:

• Electrocardiography (ECG) for arrhythmia confirmation and exercise assessment.
• Echocardiography for horses with specific murmur characteristics (grade 3/6 or louder systolic, holosystolic, pansystolic, or holodiastolic decrescendo).

Main Results:

• ECG is crucial for determining if arrhythmias are exercise-induced or a safety concern.
• Echocardiography reveals cardiac abnormalities and hemodynamic effects in horses with significant murmurs.
• Most horses with diagnosed arrhythmias and murmurs maintain normal performance careers and life expectancies.
• Identified risks for sudden death and congestive heart failure impact insurability.

Conclusions:

• A systematic approach using ECG and echocardiography aids in the diagnosis and risk assessment of cardiac conditions in horses.
• Prognosis for performance and insurability is generally favorable for most horses with arrhythmias and murmurs, but specific risks are identified.