Abstracts | EQUINE
Age‐related Differences in Blood Pressure,
Ultrasound‐derived Arterial Diameters and
Arterial Wall Stiffness Parameters in Horses
Lisse Vera, Glenn Van Steenkiste, Annelies Decloedt, Koen Chiers, Gunther van Loon
Background
Arterial rupture mainly affects older horses. The reason
why older horses are more prone to arterial rupture and
which underlying vascular changes predispose older
horses to aortic rupture is still unclear.
Objectives
To investigate the effect of ageing on the equine arterial
wall and blood pressure.
Study design
Cohort study.
Methods
Non‐invasive blood pressure measurement using a
tail cuff and vascular ultrasound from aorta, common
carotid artery and external iliac artery was performed
in 50 healthy young (3‐7 years) and 50 healthy old
Warmblood horses (>18 years). Arterial diameters and
cross‐sectional areas, and arterial wall thickness were
measured offline. Regional arterial wall stiffness of the
aorta and common carotid artery were assessed using
pulse wave velocity, while lumen area/diameter change,
strain, compliance and distensibility were calculated to
assess local arterial wall stiffness.
Results
No difference in blood pressure was found between old
and young horses. All arterial dimensions and intimamedia
thickness of the common carotid artery were
significantly larger in old horses. A significantly higher
local arterial wall stiffness was found for the aorta and
the caudal common carotid artery in older horses.
For the external iliac artery, no significant differences
in arterial wall stiffness were found. Both aortic and
carotid pulse wave velocities were higher in older horses
compared with younger horses.
Main limitations
Blood pressure was measured non‐invasively.
Conclusions
In horses, arteries stiffen with age, in combination with
luminal enlargement and arterial wall thickening. This
might, at least partially, explain the increased incidence
of arterial rupture in older horses.
https://beva.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/evj.13263
• Volume 22 Issue 02 | June 2020 •
15