Effect of Transvenous Electrical Cardioversion on Plasma Cardiac Troponin I Concentrations in Horses with Atrial Fibrillation

Abstract

Whether electrical cardioversion of cardiac arrhythmias results in cardiomyocyte damage is unknown. To describe effect of transvenous electrical cardioversion (TVEC) on plasma cardiac troponin I (cTnI) concentration in horses. All horses presented to the Cornell University Hospital for Animals for cardioversion of atrial fibrillation between May 2006 and October 2008 were eligible for inclusion in the study. Owners of 14 horses elected for TVEC and each horse was then enrolled (16 procedures). Prospective observational study measuring concentrations of plasma cTnI before and after TVEC. Median cTnI concentration increased from 0.045 ng/mL at baseline (range 0.0-0.20 ng/mL) to 0.11 ng/mL after TVEC (range 0.0-3.73 ng/mL) (P= .036). This increase was not associated with the number of shocks delivered, maximal energy delivered, cumulative energy delivered, chronicity of atrial fibrillation before cardioversion, or positioning of the pulmonary artery catheter. The increase in cTnI is unlikely to be clinically important. The increase might be correlated with persistent atrial dysfunction after TVEC, suggesting that a longer convalescent period after the procedure could be warranted.