Normal QT interval in Ukrainian Riding Horses at rest and during exercise

Measurement of the main parameter of cardiac repolarization, namely QT interval, has a very high diagnostic value in human medicine, since its irregularities may indicate severe life-threatening ventricular tachyarrhythmias. The QT interval may vary not only with heart rate, age, sex, and autonomic tone, but also with horse breeds. Therefore, the description of its reference values for a specific breed is of great importance. The Ukrainian Riding Horse was bred as a show jumping, dressage and three-day eventing breed on the basis of Hanoverian, Thoroughbred and Trakehner stallions and local mares, as well as Hungarian Furioso, Gidran Arab and Nonius mares. Twenty-three horses of the Ukrainian riding breed were included in the study: 8 geldings, 8 mares, and 7 stallions aged 3-11 years. The electrodes for ECG recording were placed according to an adapted base-apex system. The ECG was registered during rest, exercise, and recovery periods. QT intervals were measured from resting to peak exercise levels on the traces of the 2nd lead and plotted against RR intervals. The piecewise regression model was fitted to the data plot. The values of Slope1, Slope2, and RRbend were compared to those of other breeds. The QT/RR relationship was relatively described by the piecewise linear regression model for all sexes (0.95 < r2 < 0.97). The sex of horses of the Ukrainian riding breed had a significant effect on the model. In terms of Slope1, Slope2, and RRbend values, Ukrainian riding horses are closest to Warmbloods, Standardbreds, and Thoroughbreds. The QT interval in horses should be corrected for breed and sex.