This is an archived Horseadvice.com Discussion. The parent article and menus are available on the navigation menu below:
HorseAdvice.com » Diseases of Horses » Cardiovascular, Blood, and Immune System » Atrial Fibrillation »
  Discussion on Atrial Fibrillation and Flecainide
Author Message
New Member:
Bobs

Posted on Friday, May 6, 2005 - 4:31 pm:

FOR HUMANS THEY USUALLY JUST CONTROL THE VENTRICULAR RATE WITH DIGOXIN OR BETA BLOCKERS OR CALCIUM CHANNEL BLOCKERS/
OF THE AGENTS USED TO CONVERT TO NORMAL RHYTHUM, QUINIDINE IS THE SAFEST SO IF THERE IS RESITANCE WITH THAT MEDICINE THEN THE OTHERS(FLECAINIDE)ARE LESS SAFE
Member:
Christos

Posted on Friday, May 6, 2005 - 7:30 pm:

I am no vet, Jean, but why attempt to convert an atrial fibrilation on a 25yo retired horse?
I think it is a pretty stable arrhythmia, he may have it already for years.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Saturday, May 7, 2005 - 9:30 am:

Here is the published summary of the latest information I can find on flecainide. It supports RPh Bob's observations in humans~~ DrO:

Equine Vet J. 2004 Nov;36(7):609-14.
Use of intravenous flecainide in horses with naturally-occurring atrial fibrillation.

van Loon G, Blissitt KJ, Keen JA, Young LE.

Department of Large Animal Internal Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: It has been reported that i.v. flecainide has a high efficacy for the treatment of experimentally-induced acute atrial fibrillation (AF) in horses and that its use is associated with minimal toxic side effects. OBJECTIVES: The objectives were to study the efficacy of i.v. flecainide as a treatment for atrial fibrillation in horses with naturally-occurring AF. METHODS: Ten horses with naturally-occurring AF were treated with 2 mg/kg bwt flecainide i.v. at a rate of 0.2 mg/kg bwt/min. In 3 horses, the infusion was continued at 0.05-0.10 mg/kg bwt/min until a total dose of 3.0 mg/kg bwt had been administered. Heart rate, QRS duration and average interval between fibrillation waves were measured before, during and following flecainide infusion. If conversion to normal sinus rhythm was not achieved, horses were treated with quinidine sulphate per os at a dose of 22 mg/kg bwt given every 2 h. RESULTS: None of the horses with chronic AF (n = 9) converted to sinus rhythm with flecainide i.v. The only horse treated successfully had acute AF of 12 days' duration. The QRS duration and fibrillation cycle length increased significantly (P = 0.006 and 0.002, respectively) during and following flecainide infusion. Heart rate did not increase significantly over time however, 3 horses developed heart rates in excess of 100 beats/min. Two horses developed a potentially dangerous ventricular dysrhythmia during the first 15 mins of treatment. Quinidine sulphate given per os restored sinus rhythm in 8 out of 9 horses, with minimal adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS: Although flecainide might be efficacious in cases of acute AF, it was not possible to restore sinus rhythm in horses with naturally-occurring chronic AF at the dosages used in this study. In 2 horses, 2.0 mg/kg bwt flecainide was associated with potentially dangerous dysrhythmias. POTENTIAL CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Intravenous administration of 2 mg/kg bwt flecainide is unlikely to convert chronic AF in horses and could induce dangerous dysrhythmias.

PS Bob, turn off the all caps, it is similar to shouting in conversation and some find it hard to read.
New Member:
Jedvorak

Posted on Saturday, May 7, 2005 - 1:52 pm:

Thanks, Dr. O. It was frustrating to find that studies had been done and then not to be able to find the results. Looks like that is not an alternative.

I found some interesting information about acupuncture to follow up on.
Home Page | Top of Page | Join Us!
Horseadvice.com is a BBB Accredited Business. Click for the BBB Business Review of this Horse Training in Stokesdale NC