Diseases of the Cardiovascular System

Chapter 48 Diseases of the Cardiovascular System


Cardiovascular disease is common in the horse and has been estimated to be the third most common cause of poor performance. The technician should review the normal anatomy, physiology, and electrocardiographic (ECG) recordings before examining the equine patient.




Valvular Disease


Valvular disease is common in foals (congenital) and in mature horses (degenerative or infectious). Diseased valves can either impede normal flow (stenosis) or allow backflow (insufficiency), which increases the workload of the heart and decreases cardiac output. Common causes of valvular disease in the horse include endocarditis and ruptured cordae tendineae.



CLINICAL SIGNS



• Murmur on auscultation

• Increasing exercise intolerance

• +/− Fever (with endocarditis)

• +/− Weight loss

• +/− Intermittent lameness

• +/− Arrhythmias

• Development of congestive heart failure (CHF)


DIAGNOSIS



• Clinical findings on physical examination

• ECG

• Echocardiography with Doppler study

• Exercise testing

• If endocarditis:
Anemia

Decreased blood protein

Leukocytosis

Positive blood cultures

• Holter monitoring


TREATMENT



• Will depend on severity of symptoms and location of the lesion


Degenerative valvular disease



• Manage the development of CHF and cardiac arrhythmias:
Furosemide (a diuretic) orally

Digoxin: one to two times daily orally

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors: two times daily (avoid in pregnant mares)


Bacterial endocarditis



• Intravenous (IV) antibiotic therapy based on culture and sensitivity results for 4 to 8 weeks
Potassium penicillin every 6 hours

Gentamicin every 8 hours


INFORMATION FOR CLIENTS



• Repeat cardiac examinations will be required to monitor the progress of disease and the efficacy of treatment.

• Owners of horses diagnosed with valvular disease should inquire as to the safety of riding or driving these animals. Sudden death is certainly a possibility in many of these animals.

• The prognosis for these disorders is related to the severity of the lesion and the area affected:
Mitral valve regurgitation: generally good in mature horses

Aortic valve regurgitation: generally good

Tricuspid regurgitation: generally good

Endocarditis: generally poor


Vascular Disease


Vascular disorders seen in the horse include thrombophlebitis from catheter placement or IV injections, parasitic thromboemboli in the mesentery arteries, and vascular rupture.



CLINICAL SIGNS



• Thrombophlebitis: heat, pain, swelling at site over vein, fever

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Aug 31, 2016 | Posted by in GENERAL | Comments Off on Diseases of the Cardiovascular System

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