Jl. Traubdargatz et al., VENTRICULAR-TACHYCARDIA AND MYOCARDIAL DYSFUNCTION IN A HORSE, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 205(11), 1994, pp. 1569-1573
Ventricular tachycardia develops less frequently than supraventricular
dysrhythmias and generally is more indicative of cardiac disease. The
horse in this report had clinical signs of lethargy and hypophagia an
d was determined to have sustained ventricular tachycardia. Echocardio
graphy was a valuable diagnostic tool and revealed an echodense area i
n the left ventricle that had subnormal ventricular performance. A pri
mary heart problem of an inflammatory nature was suspected. The horse
responded favorably to treatment with lidocaine, antimicrobials, and a
spirin, as well as stall rest. The horse was used successfully as a si
re and hunter-jumper after treatment, but subsequently died 2.2 years
later of massive hemoperitoneum. Necropsy revealed an extensive area i
n the left ventricle that appeared thin and fibrotic.