Electromechanical Events in Exercise-induced Remodeling of the Equine Heart

Analysis of synchronized phonocardiographic (PCG) and electrocardiographic (ECG) data provides insights into cardiac electromechanics that have previously not been investigated in the context of exercise-induced cardiac remodeling. This study aimed to obtain PCG data synchronized with ECG using an electronic stethoscope and an acoustic stethoscope with an add-on (microphone inserted into the stethoscope tube and connected to a smart device), both synchronized with the ECG, and simultaneous echocardiographic and ECG data in trained and untrained horses to assess the feasibility of the devices to obtain measurements of electromechanical durations in exercise-induced remodeling of the heart. A base-apex ECG synchronized with PCG was recorded in seven trotters. A complete echocardiographic examination was performed. The electromechanical durations measured by echocardiography were not consistent with those measured by a PCG synchronized to the ECG. The approach to obtain representative measurements of electromechanical intervals with the prototype device PCG synchronized to ECG proved feasible and provided precise measurements.