Clinical, radiographic, endoscopic, bronchoalveolar lavage and lung biopsy findings in horses with exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage.

Abstract: A clinical study was performed to determine whether clinical, endoscopic, radiographic, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cytological, and pulmonary biopsy findings could be correlated in horses with exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH) compared with controls. Racing standardbred horses were selected as either EIPH (n = 10) or control (n = 10), based on repeated postexertional endoscopy of the lower airways. Complete physical and respiratory examinations were performed and blood samples were submitted for arterial blood gas analysis, hematologic study, and fibrinogen determination. Bilateral chest radiographs were taken with the horse standing, and a BAL sample was obtained for cytological examination. Lung was biopsied transcutaneously. Weighted scores were calculated for clinical, radiographic, and pulmonary biopsy findings. The conclusion was that only routine physical examination may help the clinician when EIPH is suspected in horses, especially when there are abnormal findings on percussion of the caudodorsal areas of the chest.
Publication Date: 2002-03-21 PubMed ID: 11901592PubMed Central: PMC339202
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  • Comparative Study
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

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This research highlights the connection between various diagnostic methods (like clinical examination, endoscopy, radiography, bronchoalveolar lavage, and lung biopsy) in detecting exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH) in horses, and concludes that routine physical examinations are most helpful in such cases.

About the Study

  • This research study was conducted to identify any correlations between multiple diagnostic findings (clinical, endoscopic, radiographic, cytological from bronchoalveolar lavage, and pulmonary biopsy) in horses diagnosed with Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage (EIPH).
  • The study subjects were racing Standardbred horses, grouped into those diagnosed with EIPH and a control group of unaffected horses.
  • Selection was based on repeated post-exertional endoscopy of the lower airways, which is a commonly used diagnostic technique for determining EIPH occurrence.

Study Methods

  • All horses underwent complete physical and respiratory examinations.
  • Blood samples were obtained for arterial blood gas analysis, hematologic study, and fibrinogen determination. These tests help understand the overall health and pinpoint any abnormalities in the blood components which may indicate or contribute to EIPH.
  • Bilateral chest radiographs were taken while the horse was standing. This is to visualize any possible abnormalities in the lung tissues owing to EIPH.
  • A Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) sample was gathered for cytological examination. This involves analyzing cells and other particles in the bronchial and alveolar regions of the horse’s lungs.
  • A transcutaneous lung biopsy was performed. This involves removing a small piece of lung tissue for examination under a microscope.
  • Scores were calculated for clinical, radiographic, and pulmonary biopsy findings to objectively compare the results.

Conclusions of the Study

  • The main finding of this study was that routine physical examinations stood out as the most helpful diagnostic tool when suspecting EIPH in horses.
  • This is particularly the case when abnormal findings are detected upon percussion (a diagnostic method where the chest wall is tapped to identify differences in the vibratory sounds, which indicate changes in the underlying tissues) of the ‘caudodorsal’ areas of the chest, which is the rear and upper parts of the horse’s chest.

In summary, while a multifaceted diagnostic approach was studied, routine physical examination proved to be a crucial tool in identifying horses with EIPH. More specifically, any irregularities found in the caudodorsal areas of the chest during a physical examination were significant indicators of the condition.

Cite This Article

APA
Doucet MY, Viel L. (2002). Clinical, radiographic, endoscopic, bronchoalveolar lavage and lung biopsy findings in horses with exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage. Can Vet J, 43(3), 195-202.

Publication

ISSN: 0008-5286
NlmUniqueID: 0004653
Country: Canada
Language: English
Volume: 43
Issue: 3
Pages: 195-202

Researcher Affiliations

Doucet, Michu00e8le Y
  • Firestone Equine Respiratory Research Laboratory, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1.
Viel, Laurent

    MeSH Terms

    • Animals
    • Bronchoalveolar Lavage / veterinary
    • Female
    • Hemorrhage / diagnosis
    • Hemorrhage / veterinary
    • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
    • Horses
    • Lung / pathology
    • Lung Diseases / diagnosis
    • Lung Diseases / veterinary
    • Male
    • Physical Exertion
    • Radiography, Thoracic / veterinary
    • Thoracoscopy / veterinary

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    Citations

    This article has been cited 3 times.
    1. Lo Feudo CM, Stucchi L, Alberti E, Stancari G, Conturba B, Zucca E, Ferrucci F. The Role of Thoracic Ultrasonography and Airway Endoscopy in the Diagnosis of Equine Asthma and Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage.. Vet Sci 2021 Nov 15;8(11).
      doi: 10.3390/vetsci8110276pubmed: 34822649google scholar: lookup
    2. da Silva KM, Otaka JNP, Gonu00e7alves CAP, Silva EGA, de Alencar NX, Lessa DAB. Association between exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage and inflammatory airway disease in polo ponies.. J Equine Sci 2017;28(2):55-59.
      doi: 10.1294/jes.28.55pubmed: 28721124google scholar: lookup
    3. Hinchcliff KW, Couetil LL, Knight PK, Morley PS, Robinson NE, Sweeney CR, van Erck E. Exercise induced pulmonary hemorrhage in horses: American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine consensus statement.. J Vet Intern Med 2015 May-Jun;29(3):743-58.
      doi: 10.1111/jvim.12593pubmed: 25996660google scholar: lookup