Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Horse with sustained atrial tachycardia - how radiofrequency ablation
By Buschmann, Eva et al.·Published in Equine veterinary journal·2025·Department of Internal Medicine·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Lesion size index-guided radiofrequency catheter ablation using an impedance-based three-dimensional mapping system to treat sustained atrial tachycardia in a horse.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 6-year-old Warmblood mare was diagnosed with a fast heart rate (sustained atrial tachycardia) after an ECG showed her heart beating at 191 beats per minute. A special mapping system helped the veterinarian locate the source of the problem in her heart, allowing them to apply radiofrequency energy to treat it. Remarkably, her normal heart rhythm returned immediately after the first treatment, and follow-up monitoring five days later showed no issues. Nine months later, she has not experienced any further heart problems.
People also search for: horse fast heart rate treatment · atrial tachycardia in horses · radiofrequency ablation for horse heart issues
Abstract
Sustained atrial tachycardia at an atrial rate of 191/min on the surface ECG was detected in a 6-year-old Warmblood mare. The vectorcardiogram obtained from a 12-lead ECG suggested a caudo-dorsal right atrial origin of the arrhythmia. Impedance-based three-dimensional electro-anatomical mapping, using the EnSite™ Precision Cardiac Mapping System revealed a clockwise macro-reentry around a line of conduction block in the caudomedial right atrium. Ten radiofrequency applications were applied to isolate the caudal vena cava myocardial sleeves at a power of 35 W and mean contact force of 14 ± 3 g until a lesion size index of 6 was reached. Sinus rhythm was restored at the first energy application. Successful isolation was confirmed by demonstrating entrance and exit block. Holter monitoring 5 days post-ablation revealed no abnormalities. To date, 9 months after treatment, no recurrence has been observed. The use of lesion size index-guided ablation and isolation of the arrhythmogenic substrate in the caudal vena cava may minimise the risk of recurrence.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39434506/