SAEVA Congress 2018 Proceedings | 12-15 February 2018 | ATKV Goudini Spa
While the cardiac output in horses with AF and no significant underlying cardiac
disease is normal at rest, a drop in cardiac output occurs during exercise. The
exercising heart rate is often 40-60 beats/minute higher than if that same horse was in
normal sinus rhythm.
AF Trot HR = 140 bpm; 25 mm/sec
AF Trot HR = 280 bpm; 25 mm/sec
Frequent ventricular premature complexes (69%) or aberrantly conducted complexes
and complexes with wide QRS morphology and R on T (33%) have been reported in
Warmblood horses exercising with AF and if detected, may be a cause for concern.
AF with ventricular premature or aberrantly conducted complexes
Horses with AF and little or no underlying cardiac disease are candidates for
conversion to sinus rhythm, if spontaneous conversion does not occur. Although
horses can be used successfully for lower level athletic work, cardioversion is
recommended in all horses that are used for rigorous athletic performance. If
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