Equine Respiratory Medicine and Cardiology.

Summary

# Equine Respiratory Medicine and Cardiology: Current Clinical Perspectives Growing recognition of cardiopulmonary disease in equine practice has prompted a comprehensive review of contemporary diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to respiratory and cardiac conditions in horses. Stucchi, Lo Feudo and Ferrucci synthesised recent evidence and clinical developments across both disciplines, examining how advances in imaging, endoscopy, and functional assessment tools have enhanced our capacity to identify and manage conditions ranging from inflammatory airway disease to valvular dysfunction. The review highlights the increasing prevalence of performance-limiting respiratory pathology in sport horses and the significant overlap between pulmonary and cardiac compromise—particularly in cases of recurrent airway obstruction and exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage. Understanding these interconnected systems enables more targeted diagnostic protocols and treatment strategies, whether through pharmacological intervention, environmental modification, or exercise management tailored to the individual horse's pathophysiology. For practitioners across disciplines, the synthesis underscores the importance of systematic respiratory and cardiac evaluation in pre-purchase examinations, poor-performance investigations, and ongoing management of horses with known disease.

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Key Findings

• •Growing clinical attention to equine respiratory and cardiac health over recent years
• •Review synthesizes current knowledge in equine respiratory medicine and cardiology

Conditions Studied