The Cardiovascular System Flashcards
What do you evaluate during auscultation of the heat
Evaluate the rate, rhythm and strength of the heart sounds
How many heart sounds do you hear upon auscultation
Four (S4, S1, S2, S3)
What do each heart sound sound like
S4 = du (assoc w lubb)
S1 = LUBB
S2 = DUP
S3 = boo (assoc w dup)
Is four heart sounds normal in a human
NO
What is a ‘dropped’ beat
Signal not transmitted from atria to ventricle
Ventricle does not contract
Occurs at rest, resolves with exercise
Occurs in 44% horses (normal)
What is a murmur
Abnormal sound associated with blood flow through heart
A murmur that is not the result of pathology and disappears during exercise is…
Physiological murmur
Diagnostic tool allows for evaluation of size and thickness of walls of heart chambers, valve function/structure, blood vessel structure
Echocardiography (ultrasound of the heart)
Measures the electrical activity of the heart that corresponds to nerve impulses involved with the heart cycle
Electrocardiography (ECG)
Why is ECG hard in horses
Difficult to put pads on, get it to stand still
Measurement of oxygen supplies in blood involving exercise
Exercise and stress testing
HRRI and CRI are…
Heart Rate Recovery Index
Cardiac Recovery Index
“ridgeway”
What is the ridgeway
HRRI, CRI
Take heart rate
Jog horse away 125 feet and come back
Take heart rate 60 seconds after first heart rate
Why is the ridgeway done
Common before endurance rides, make sure horse is fit enough
Most common rhythm disruption in horses
Atrial fibrillation
What is atrial fibrillation
Atrium vibrates ineffectively, disrupting normal pattern of electrical signals that stimulate a regulate heartbeat
May be secondary to another disease or primary
What are the ventricles doing in a fib
Contract on their own in an irregular pattern
How is a fib diagnosed
Irregular heart beat during auscultation, no detectable pattern
ECG
Ultrasound if accompanied by sign of heart disease (murmur)
How is a fib treated
Quindine (anti-arrhythmic drug)
- serious side effects (inappetence, depression, colic)
May recur
If secondary, treat primary condition
How serious is a fib
Depends how long, underlying condition
Can be healthy / athletes