Cardiac Therapeutics in Horses

What is it about?

Quinidine remains the drug of choice for the pharmacologic cardioversion of atrial fibrillation. Medications such as amiodarone have established evidence available for their use in specific situations. The role of other agents, such as flecainide, sotalol, and the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, are under increasing scrutiny for their usefulness in the management of atrial fibrillation. Management of acute tachyarrhythmias is achieved through a variety of pharmacologic agents. Lidocaine, magnesium, and procainamide remain the most commonly used first-line medications for ventricular tachyarrhythmias. However, the administration of other agents can be useful in refractory cases. Management of acute onset congestive heart failure relies on the use of diuretics and vasodilators. The use of ACE inhibitors is growing in the management of such cases, although evidence of their efficacy or robust criteria for the selection are lacking. Medication to delay the progression of asymptomatic heart disease in the horse are the subject of an emerging field of research, but clinical evidence of benefit based on longitudinal data is lacking.

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Photo by Kirsten LaChance on Unsplash

Photo by Kirsten LaChance on Unsplash

Why is it important?

An up to date, evidenced based review of cardiac therapeutics in horses