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[RC] Deconditioning in the horse 2 - Ridecamp Guest

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1: Am J Vet Res. 2000 Dec;61(12):1553-60. Related Articles, Links


Changes in cardiac dimensions and indices of cardiac function during 
deconditioning in horses.

Kriz NG, Hodgson DR, Rose RJ.

Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Sydney, NSW, 
Australia.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of deconditioning on cardiac dimensions 
and indices of cardiac function in horses. ANIMALS: Thirteen 3-to 4-year-old 
Standardbred geldings. PROCEDURE: All horses had echocardiographic measurements 
performed at the conclusion of 9 months of intense training and at weeks 1.5, 
4, 8, and 12 of deconditioning. Direct echocardiographic measurements included 
interventricular septal thickness, left ventricular internal dimensions, left 
ventricular freewall thickness, left atrial dimension, aortic diameter, 
diameter of the pulmonary artery, slopes of the mitral valve, heart rate, 
preejection period, and ejection time. Derived indices of cardiac function 
included fractional shortening, fractional area change, and cardiac output. 
RESULTS: Cardiac dimensions did not change significantly for the first 4 weeks 
of deconditioning but decreased significantly by week 8 and continued to 
decrease until week 12. Indices of cardiac function increased significantly 
during the first 10 days of deconditioning, remaining stable until week 4 of 
deconditioning. After week 4, indices of cardiac function decreased 
significantly until week 12. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Deconditioning 
resulted in a general reduction in cardiac dimensions and indices of cardiac 
function over 12 weeks. However, results of the study reported here indicate 
that following an intense period of training, cardiac function may be 
maintained during the first 4 weeks of deconditioning. Results indicate that 
trained horses may rest for up to 4 weeks without a substantial reduction in 
cardiac capacity as reflected by echocardiographic indices.


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