Three dimensional ultra-high-density electro-anatomical cardiac mapping in horses: methodology.
Authors: Van Steenkiste Glenn, De Clercq Dominique, Boussy Tim, Vera Lisse, Schauvliege Stijn, Decloedt Annelies, van Loon Gunther
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
# Editorial Summary Magnetic electro-anatomical mapping represents a significant advance in equine cardiac diagnostics, enabling detailed three-dimensional characterisation of atrial and ventricular electrical activity with unprecedented spatial resolution. Van Steenkiste and colleagues developed and validated this technique using a 64-electrode mini-basket catheter system deployed through standard cardiac access routes in four anaesthetised horses, demonstrating successful endocardial mapping across all four chambers (with left atrial access requiring a deflectable sheath). The mapping system's automated beat-recognition protocol proved increasingly reliable with optimisation, reducing manual correction requirements from 13.1% to just 0.4% as experience accumulated. These findings open new possibilities for investigating complex arrhythmias in clinical cases and advancing our understanding of equine cardiac electrophysiology, though application in conscious horses and validation across larger populations remain important next steps. For practitioners managing horses with rhythm disturbances, this emerging capability may eventually enable more precise diagnosis and targeted interventional strategies currently unavailable through conventional electrocardiography.
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Practical Takeaways
- •This advanced mapping technology is now feasible for clinical and research applications in horses with complex arrhythmias, offering detailed electrophysiological characterization beyond conventional methods
- •Veterinary cardiologists working with horses experiencing unexplained arrhythmias may have access to a sophisticated diagnostic tool that was previously unavailable in equine medicine
- •The technique requires specialized equipment and general anaesthesia, limiting its application to referral centers and research institutions
Key Findings
- •Ultra-high-density 3D electro-anatomical mapping successfully acquired endocardial maps from all four cardiac chambers in four horses under general anaesthesia
- •A 64-electrode mini-basket catheter system proved feasible for equine cardiac mapping with all endocardial areas within each chamber accessible
- •Beat acceptance criteria optimization reduced manual correction requirements from 13.1% to 0.4% across the study progression
- •Left atrial access required use of a deflectable sheath, demonstrating the technical adaptations needed for equine anatomy