No “P” waves are present. Fibrillation (f) waves are evident and they may have a frequency up to 500 beats/min, but few are conducted through the AV node to the ventricle.The f wave morphology can be course or fine.
The RR interval is irregularly irregular and QRS complexes are normal if there is no underlying disease.
Cardiac function can be relatively normal at rest or during mild to moderate exercise if the finding is incidental.
Decreased cardiac function occurs if there is associated heart disease or at high levels of performance.
Treatment of atrial fibrillation
If cardiac function is otherwise normal, atrial fibrillation can generally be converted to sinus rhythm with quinidine. Prognosis for conversion is poor if atrial fibrillation has been present for over four months.
Transvascular electrical conversion under general anesthesia is reported to have good success in converting atrial fibrillation of longer duration.
E Atrial flutter
Similar to atrial fibrillation but less common in horses.
Baseline sinusoidal wave with more frequent “f” waves, referred to as saw‐tooth pattern, between two consecutive QRS complexes.
Uncommon in horses.
Treatment is the same as for atrial fibrillation.
F Premature atrial contractions (PACs)
A normal QRS complex appears before expected; therefore, the R–R interval is shorter between the previous normal beat and the premature beat.
The “P” wave can be absent (hiding) if the PAC occurred to soon after the normal beat.
Can be incidental or associated with heart disease that has caused enlarged atria, or myocarditis or hypokalemia.
A solitary PAC is not likely to be significant if not associated with clinical signs and does not occur during exercise.
Figure 3.5 Atrial fibrillation.
Treatment
Not necessary to treat unless the PACs become frequent and the horse develops clinical signs or atrial fibrillation is triggered.
Quinidine can be used to terminate the arrhythmia.
Digoxin can be used to control the arrhythmia if there is underlying cardiac disease.
G Premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) (see Figures 3.6 and 3.7)
Large, abnormal morphology QRS complexes that appear before a normal beat was expected. Therefore, the R–R interval is shorter.
The depolarization from the PVC travels retrograde and blocks the next impulse from the SA node, which can result in a compensatory pause after the abnormal beat.Note: Singular to several PVCs are often identified in normal horses.
The PVC is not conducted via the normal conduction pathway; hence, its morphology is different and it is of longer duration than a normal QRS complex.
The PVC is not associated with the preceding P wave.
Runs of PVCs are of concern and may result in weakness, syncope, ventricular tachycardia and death.
PVCs do not allow for complete and normal filling of the ventricle, which affects the SV and results in a lower cardiac output and/or hypotension.
Treatment of single PVCs
Treatment should be administered if PVCs:Are multifocal.Are frequent and the pulse quality is poor.Figure 3.6 Premature ventricular complex.Figure 3.7 Ventricular bigeminy; every other complex is ventricular in origin.Figure 3.8 Ventricular tachycardia.Are on top of the preceding T wave, as this scenario may result in ventricular fibrillation.
Administer lidocaine (0.5–2 mg/kg, IV).
Treatment of multiple PVCs
Lidocaine (0.5–2 mg/kg, IV) for immediate control of PVCs.
Treat underlying cause (e.g. hypoxia, electrolyte abnormalities [K+, Ca++, Mg++]).
Quinidine gluconate (1.1–2.2 mg/kg, IV) for short‐term control of PVCs.
Lidocaine (25–50 μg/kg/min) for longer term control.
H Ventricular tachycardia (VT) (see Figure 3.8)
A group of four or more consecutive PVCs.
Characterized by abnormal QRS complexes that are not associated with P waves.P waves, if present, may be hidden in the QRS complexes.
VT may be paroxysmal or sustained for minutes or hours and may lead to ventricular fibrillation.
The ventricular rate may be slow (slightly above normal rate) or fast (up to 200 beats/min).
The QRS complexes may be monomorphic or polymorphic.
SV is decreased especially if the ventricular rate is high, and this results in a lower cardiac output and/or hypotension.
Treatment
A slow ventricular rate usually does not need to be treated.
Multifocal ventricular tachycardia should be treated.
Treatment should be initiated if the HR is >100 beats/min.
