Heart rate variability parameters in horses distinguish atrial fibrillation from sinus rhythm before and after successful electrical cardioversion.

Summary

Atrial fibrillation remains the most prevalent pathological arrhythmia in equine practice, yet post-treatment recurrence is frequent and difficult to predict. Broux and colleagues analysed heart rate variability parameters from horses presenting with AF (n=20) and healthy controls in sinus rhythm (n=20) before and after electrical cardioversion, using standardised HRV metrics derived from portable heart rate monitoring devices. Key HRV indices—particularly standard deviation of NN intervals and root mean square of successive differences—demonstrated significant discriminatory power between AF and sinus rhythm both pre- and post-treatment, with these parameters remaining distinctive even in animals that subsequently experienced AF recurrence. Because HRV calculations are now integrated into many commercially available equine heart rate monitors, these findings suggest a practical, non-invasive method for identifying horses at heightened recurrence risk, potentially enabling earlier intervention or stricter exercise restriction protocols during the critical post-cardioversion period. This approach could transform how practitioners monitor high-risk cases, particularly given the accessibility and repeatability of field-based HRV assessment compared to traditional electrocardiography.

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Key Findings

• •Heart rate variability parameters can distinguish between atrial fibrillation and sinus rhythm in horses
• •HRV parameters remain effective at differentiating rhythms before and after successful electrical cardioversion
• •Heart rate monitors with HRV calculations offer a practical monitoring tool for detecting arrhythmias in horses

Conditions Studied

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