Differences in ultrasound-derived arterial wall stiffness parameters and noninvasive blood pressure between Friesian horses and Warmblood horses.

Authors: Vera Lisse, De Clercq Dominique, Van Steenkiste Glenn, Decloedt Annelies, Chiers Koen, van Loon Gunther

Journal: Journal of veterinary internal medicine

DOI: 10.1111/jvim.15705 PubMed: 32032455Log in to save

Summary

# Editorial Summary: Arterial Wall Stiffness in Friesian versus Warmblood Horses Aortic rupture occurs significantly more frequently in Friesian horses than Warmbloods, yet the underlying vascular mechanisms responsible for this breed predisposition remain poorly understood. Lisse and colleagues conducted a comparative ultrasound study of 101 healthy Friesians and 101 age-matched Warmbloods, measuring arterial wall stiffness parameters across the aorta, common carotid and external iliac arteries using two-dimensional and pulsed-wave Doppler imaging, alongside noninvasive blood pressure recordings. Friesians demonstrated substantially stiffer aortic tissue than Warmbloods, evidenced by significantly lower diameter change, compliance coefficients and distensibility coefficients in the aorta; this difference was reinforced by elevated pulse wave velocities (both aortic-to-iliac and carotid-to-iliac measurements), combined with elevated systolic, diastolic, mean and pulse pressures despite identical heart rates between breeds. The findings suggest a breed-specific structural or compositional difference in aortic wall tissue that compromises vascular compliance—a potential mechanical explanation for the heightened aortic rupture risk in Friesians that warrants investigation into the collagen and elastin architecture of their arterial walls. For practitioners managing Friesian horses, these results underscore the importance of cardiovascular monitoring and careful exercise prescription in this breed, particularly given that increased stiffness combined with elevated blood pressure creates a biomechanical environment conducive to catastrophic vascular failure.

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Practical Takeaways

•Friesian horses have inherently stiffer aortas than Warmbloods, which may predispose them to aortic rupture; practitioners should be aware of this breed-specific cardiovascular risk
•Blood pressure monitoring and ultrasound assessment of arterial stiffness may be useful screening tools for identifying Friesians at higher risk of aortic complications
•Breed-specific cardiovascular management strategies for Friesians may be warranted, though preventive measures require further investigation

Key Findings

•Friesian horses have significantly higher systolic, diastolic, mean arterial blood pressure, and pulse pressure compared to age-matched Warmbloods
•Friesian horses demonstrate significantly lower local aortic stiffness parameters (diameter change, compliance coefficient, distensibility coefficient), indicating a stiffer aorta
•Pulse wave velocity measurements (PWVa-e and PWVc-e) were significantly higher in Friesians, confirming increased regional aortic stiffness
•Aortic wall stiffness differences between breeds may explain the higher incidence of aortic rupture observed in Friesian horses

Conditions Studied

aortic rupture riskarterial wall stiffness

Related References

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