Pericardial Disease, Myocardial Disease, and Great Vessel Abnormalities in Horses

Ascending aortic aneurysm associated with tetralogy of Fallot in an adult mare

“…Aortic rupture and aortopulmonary fistulation in Friesians can manifest not only as an acute event with haemothorax and death within minutes but also as less acute pathology (Ploeg et al., 2013). In some cases, the aortic tear forms a cuff of perivascular haemorrhage around the aorta and/or the pulmonary artery allowing for stabilization for several weeks (Decloedt, 2019; Ploeg et al., 2013). Accurate ante‐mortem diagnosis of this condition is challenging and literature suggests to include aortic rupture in the differential diagnosis when confronted with a Friesian horse with history of recurrent nongastrointestinal–related colic and one or more of the following: ventricular tachycardia, continuous right‐sided murmur, coughing, exercise intolerance, fever, epistaxis, sustained tachycardia and bounding arterial pulse (Decloedt, 2019; Marr et al., 1998; Ploeg et al., 2013; Reef et al., 2014; Taulescu et al., 2016).…”

“…In some cases, the aortic tear forms a cuff of perivascular haemorrhage around the aorta and/or the pulmonary artery allowing for stabilization for several weeks (Decloedt, 2019; Ploeg et al., 2013). Accurate ante‐mortem diagnosis of this condition is challenging and literature suggests to include aortic rupture in the differential diagnosis when confronted with a Friesian horse with history of recurrent nongastrointestinal–related colic and one or more of the following: ventricular tachycardia, continuous right‐sided murmur, coughing, exercise intolerance, fever, epistaxis, sustained tachycardia and bounding arterial pulse (Decloedt, 2019; Marr et al., 1998; Ploeg et al., 2013; Reef et al., 2014; Taulescu et al., 2016). Although this case was not a breed predisposed to cardiac abnormalities such as Friesians, since admission a nongastrointestinal cause of tachycardia was suspected but few signs of cardiovascular disease were present on physical examination compared with the findings detected at cardiac ultrasound and necropsy.…”

“…Aortic aneurysms have been reported in horses as an acquired condition, a congenital anomaly or associated with chronic aortic regurgitation or Strongylus vulgaris. In most cases aneurysms were detected at post‐mortem examination after aortic rupture (Decloedt, 2019). The rupture of the aneurysm usually results in sudden cardiac death (SCD) but less acute signs of colic, anorexia, recumbency, depression, poor performance, coughing and peripheral oedema have also been reported (Decloedt, 2019; Marr et al., 1998; Ploeg et al., 2013).…”

“…In most cases aneurysms were detected at post‐mortem examination after aortic rupture (Decloedt, 2019). The rupture of the aneurysm usually results in sudden cardiac death (SCD) but less acute signs of colic, anorexia, recumbency, depression, poor performance, coughing and peripheral oedema have also been reported (Decloedt, 2019; Marr et al., 1998; Ploeg et al., 2013). The majority of aortic ruptures have been documented in Friesian horses (Ploeg et al., 2013), and thought to be related to primary changes in the vascular connective tissues (Ploeg et al., 2015; Tursi, Poser, Janus, & Guglielmini, 2018).…”

Cardiac arrhythmias as a potential sign of systemic disease: Which laboratory tests are useful?

“…A complete blood count and serum protein test is useful to identify anaemia or inflammation, for example, acute haemorrhage has been shown to result in myocardial injury and ventricular ectopy (Navas de Solis et al., 2015). Markers of inflammation such as serum amyloid A and fibrinogen can be indicators for viral or bacterial myocarditis (Decloedt, 2019). Serum biochemistry to assess muscle enzymes, renal function and hepatic function is helpful to identify the presence of systemic disease or to assess the consequences of primary cardiac disease.…”