Training-induced atrial remodelling in Standardbreds

Principal investigators: Rikke Buhl and Thomas Jespersen

Study Director: Helena Carstensen and Sarah Dalgas Nissen

Master students: Birgitte Bjørnskov, Sophie Sørensen, Ameli Victoria Loft-Andersen and Sofie Kokholm Frederiksen

It is well established that equine athletes develop Athlete’s heart in response to high-intensity training. Alterations in the electrophysiological properties, hemodynamics and structure of the atrial myocardium have, however, not been documented. Human athletes performing high-intensity endurance exercise have a higher risk of cardiac arrhythmias than the general population and the underlying mechanisms and pathophysiology needs further elucidation. The arrhythmias most commonly include bradyarrhythmias and atrial fibrillation. We suspect that the same risks to high-intensity endurance training apply to horses .

In this project we aim at characterizing the electrophysiological and structural remodeling of the atria as well as in the conduction system of the heart. Furthermore, we wish to examine the effects of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation shortly before a high intensity exercise episode.

Funding:

Grant number DFF - 7017-00050