title: Recommendations for management of equine athletes with cardiovascular abnormalities.
abstract: Murmurs and arrhythmias are commonly detected in equine athletes. Assessing the relevance of these cardiovascular abnormalities in the performance horse can be challenging. Determining the impact of a cardiovascular disorder on performance, life expectancy, horse and rider or driver safety relative to the owner's future expectations is paramount. A comprehensive assessment of the cardiovascular abnormality detected is essential to determine its severity and achieve these aims. This consensus statement presents a general approach to the assessment of cardiovascular abnormalities, followed by a discussion of the common murmurs and arrhythmias. The description, diagnosis, evaluation, and prognosis are considered for each cardiovascular abnormality. The recommendations presented herein are based on available literature and a consensus of the panelists. While the majority of horses with cardiovascular abnormalities have a useful performance life, periodic reexaminations are indicated for those with clinically relevant cardiovascular disease. Horses with pulmonary hypertension, CHF, or complex ventricular arrhythmias should not be ridden or driven.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Studies-New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Kennett Square, PA.
authors.forename: V B
authors.initials: VB
authors.lastname: Reef
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bonagura
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Buhl
authors.forename: M K J
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: McGurrin
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Schwarzwald
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: van Loon
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Young
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001022:Aortic Valve Insufficiency / Q000662:veterinary; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000662:veterinary; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000662:veterinary; D018376:Cardiovascular Abnormalities / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D006337:Heart Murmurs / Q000662:veterinary; D006345:Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular / Q000662:veterinary; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000628:therapy; D006736:Horses / Q000002:abnormalities*; D008944:Mitral Valve Insufficiency / Q000662:veterinary; D014262:Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency / Q000662:veterinary
keywords: Arrhythmias; Echocardiography; Exercise testing; Murmurs