Echocardiographic evaluation of the systolic function in the horse. Referene values for fractional shortening and ejection fraction

The authors present the values of the percentage of fractional shortening a nd ejection fraction of the left ventricle in horses obtained by echocardio graphic evaluation Forty eight untrained crossbred horses were evaluated, weighing between 330 and 550 kg and ages ranging between 2 and 17 years old. The mean value for the percentage of fractional shortening was 39.38% +/- 5 .47 with a variation coefficient of 13. 88%, with limit values between 48 a nd 27. Regarding the ejection fraction, the mean value was 67.2%+/- 7.33 and a var iation coefficient of 10.9% with limits between 80.2 and 50.4. No differences between our indexes mean values and those reported by other investigators were observed, except with those published by Lescure and Tam sali, 1984.