Concentration of cardiac troponin I in a horse with a ruptured aortic regurgitation jet lesion and ventricular tachycardia

J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2000 Jul 15;217(2):231-5. doi: 10.2460/javma.2000.217.231.

Abstract

An 18-year-old Thoroughbred gelding was evaluated because of sudden onset of ventricular tachycardia and signs of colic. Three years earlier, a diastolic decrescendo murmur, consistent with aortic regurgitation, had been detected, but the horse continued to perform well and compete successfully. Cardiac ultrasonographic examination revealed a defect in the interventricular septum below the aortic root, and serum concentrations of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) were higher than those measured in clinically normal horses. Repeated development of tachyarrhythmia during hospitalization prompted a decision to euthanatize the horse. A ruptured endocardial jet lesion below the aortic valve with formation of a cleft into the interventricular septum was found on necropsy. This report of increased serum cTnI concentrations in a horse with myocardial disease and our other findings suggest that assessment of cardiac troponin concentrations may be a useful tool in the evaluation of horses with suspected myocardial disease.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aortic Valve Insufficiency / blood
  • Aortic Valve Insufficiency / complications
  • Aortic Valve Insufficiency / veterinary*
  • Creatine Kinase / blood
  • Echocardiography / veterinary
  • Endocardium / pathology
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Heart Ventricles / pathology
  • Horse Diseases / blood
  • Horse Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Horse Diseases / therapy
  • Horses
  • Isoenzymes
  • Male
  • Rupture, Spontaneous / blood
  • Rupture, Spontaneous / diagnosis
  • Rupture, Spontaneous / veterinary
  • Tachycardia, Ventricular / blood
  • Tachycardia, Ventricular / complications
  • Tachycardia, Ventricular / veterinary*
  • Troponin I / blood*

Substances

  • Isoenzymes
  • Troponin I
  • Creatine Kinase