| Title: |
Inspiratory and expiratory tracheal pressures during high‐intensity exercise in harness racehorses |
| Authors: |
Vermedal, Hanna; Hellings, Ingunn Risnes; Fretheim‐Kelly, Zoe Louise; Fintl, Constanze; Olsen, Hanna Margrethe Berg; Strand, Eric |
| Contributors: |
Norges Forskningsråd |
| Source: |
Equine Veterinary Journal ; ISSN 0425-1644 2042-3306 |
| Publisher Information: |
Wiley |
| Publication Year: |
2025 |
| Collection: |
Wiley Online Library (Open Access Articles via Crossref) |
| Description: |
Background Exercise‐related upper respiratory tract (URT) disorders are common in racehorses. Objective assessment of URT mechanics is essential to quantify degrees of obstruction caused by URT disorders identified upon dynamic endoscopy. Objectives To establish reference values for inspiratory and expiratory tracheal pressures (cmH 2 O) during high‐speed treadmill endoscopy in harness racehorses with clinically normal URTs. Study Design Prospective observational study. Methods Tracheal pressures were measured in harness racehorses (Standardbreds and Norwegian‐Swedish coldblooded trotters) in which no URT abnormalities were detected. Peak inspiratory and expiratory tracheal pressures were determined for each minute (phase) of a standardised treadmill test, which alternated between trotting with free head carriage (phases 1, 3, 5 and 7) and with poll flexion (phases 2, 4 and 6). Linear mixed‐effects models assessed changes in tracheal pressures across the exercise test, and effects of breed, racing experience, respiratory rate and head–neck position (free vs. poll flexion). Results Seventy‐six horses were included. Mean (SD) peak inspiratory tracheal pressures ranged from −21.8 (5.0) cmH 2 O in phase 1 to −34.9 (5.3) and −34.3 (5.7) cmH 2 O in phases 6 and 7. Inspiratory pressures became significantly more negative across phases ( p < 0.001) and were −3.5 cmH 2 O (95% CI: −4.0 to −3.0, p < 0.001) lower during poll flexion versus free head carriage. Expiratory tracheal pressures remained stable across exercise phases (11.5 [2.8] to 12.5 [2.6] cmH 2 O) with no significant changes. There were no significant differences between the two breeds. Respiratory rate ranged from 79.8 (12.6) to 90.8 (15.0) breaths/min and remained stable between 89.6 and 90.8 breaths/min through phases 3–7. Main Limitations Simultaneous airflow measurements were not performed. Conclusions Inspiratory pressures became more negative with exercise progression and were significantly lower during poll flexion versus free head ... |
| Document Type: |
article in journal/newspaper |
| Language: |
English |
| DOI: |
10.1111/evj.14557 |
| Availability: |
https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.14557; https://beva.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/evj.14557 |
| Rights: |
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ |
| Accession Number: |
edsbas.919CB7D |
| Database: |
BASE |