Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Intravenous administration of quinidine and metoprolol for treatment of atrial fibrillation in 2 neonatal foals.
- Journal:
- Journal of veterinary internal medicine
- Year:
- 2024
- Authors:
- Leduc, Laurence et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Clinical Studies · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
Two newborn Thoroughbred colts were taken to a veterinary hospital because they had an irregular heartbeat and were having trouble nursing. Tests showed that they both had atrial fibrillation, a type of heart rhythm problem, but their hearts were otherwise healthy. The first foal was treated with two medications given through an IV, which helped his heart return to a normal rhythm, while the second foal only needed one of those medications to achieve the same result. After their heart rhythms were corrected, both foals showed significant improvement in their behavior and ability to nurse. The first foal was later euthanized for unrelated reasons, but the second foal remained healthy for two years after treatment.
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a rarely reported arrhythmia in otherwise healthy newborn foals, with a single case of cardioversion using procainamide administration described in the literature. Two neonatal Thoroughbred colts were presented to an equine hospital because of an irregularly irregular tachyarrhythmia and poor latching when trying to nurse. History, physical examination, and initial diagnostic testing including ECG and echocardiography confirmed AF without structural heart disease. The 1st foal converted into normal sinus rhythm after treatment with IV metoprolol and quinidine. The 2nd foal converted to normal sinus rhythm after a single IV dose of metoprolol, intended for rate control. Demeanor and nursing behavior improved markedly after conversion. The 2 foals had normal heart rates and sinus rhythm that persisted for 6 weeks until euthanasia in the 1st foal and for 2 years in the 2nd foal. Rate control and cardioversion should be considered as a treatment for persistent lone AF in neonatal foals.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39212330/