Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Atrial fibrillation management in a breeding stallion.
- Journal:
- Journal of veterinary cardiology : the official journal of the European Society of Veterinary Cardiology
- Year:
- 2017
- Authors:
- Heliczer, N et al.
- Affiliation:
- Swiss Institute of Equine Medicine
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 20-year-old warmblood stallion was being evaluated for semen collection when he was found to have a heart condition called atrial fibrillation, which means his heart was beating irregularly and too fast. To treat this, veterinarians used a procedure called electrical cardioversion to restore a normal heartbeat. After this treatment, the stallion showed some improvement in his heart function and was given a medication called sotalol to help prevent the condition from coming back. Over the next six months, his heart function continued to get better, and there were no negative side effects from the medication. However, the atrial fibrillation returned after six months, but the sotalol was continued to manage his heart rhythm during semen collection. Overall, the treatment was effective and safe for this stallion.
Abstract
A 20-year-old warmblood breeding stallion presented to a University practice for semen collection and evaluation was incidentally diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AF). Electrocardiogram recordings during breeding revealed inappropriately rapid tachycardia and occasional ventricular premature depolarizations/aberrant ventricular conduction. Transvenous electrical cardioversion was performed. After successful cardioversion the horse displayed supraventricular ectopy and atrial contractile dysfunction and was administered sotalol hydrochloride in an attempt to decrease the risk of AF recurrence. Supraventricular ectopy and echocardiographic evidence of atrial dysfunction gradually improved and normalized over 6 months. No direct adverse effects of the chronic anti-arrhythmic treatment were observed and libido and semen quality were unaffected. AF recurred 6 months after cardioversion and sotalol therapy was continued to control the ventricular ectopy/aberrant ventricular conduction during semen collection. Considerations regarding pathologic arrhythmias and inappropriately high heart rates in breeding stallions with AF may be similar to those in riding horses. Sotalol hydrochloride was a safe anti-arrhythmic drug in the management of this case.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28336184/