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7163534 
Journal Article 
Effects of xylazine and acepromazine on echocardiographic parameters in the healthy horse 
Dezfouli, MRM; Tavanaeimanesh, H; Houshangi, AF; Corley, K; Masoudifard, M; Chaleshtori, SS; Dalir-Naghadeh, B; , 
2020 
0 
Pferdeheilkunde
ISSN: 0177-7726 
HIPPIATRIKA VERLAG MBH 
STUTTGART 
36 
1 
37-42 
WOS:000566765200005 
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of xylazine and acepromazine on the Doppler and M-mode echocardiography measurements in horses. Ten healthy crossbred horses were included in this study. Baseline echocardiography was performed in all horses. Xylazine (0.5 mg/kg IV) or acepromazine (0.01 mg/kg IV) was injected intravenously with a 4 week wash out period between drugs. Electrocardiogram was recorded simultaneously in the base-apex lead. The results showed that the heart rate in the xylazine group was significantly lower than in the control measurements (p = 0.021). In the xylazine group, there were 2<^>d degree atrioventricular blocks in two horses. The diameter of the left ventricle at the end of diastole (LVID) was decreased (p = 0.029) and the interventricular septum thickness at the end of diastole (IVS,) (p - 0.008) were increased in the xylazine group. Right ventricle internal diameter at the end of systole (RVID,) were increased in both treatment groups. Our results showed that acepromazine and xylazine have some detectable effects on echocardiographic measurements, but both the nature and the degree of these differences mean that they are unlikely to affect the diagnostic quality of the scan. Acepromazine at a dose of 0.01 mg/kg, used in horses undergoing echocardiographic examination, results in negligible changes in spectral and M-mode measurements. 
echocardiography; spectral Doppler; M-mode; xylazine; acepromazine