Effects of furosemide on cardiovascular function and performance when given prior to simulated races: a double-blind study.
Abstract: In a double-blind study under simulated racing conditions, six Standardbred horses, which had been trained for 12 weeks, were given 1 mg of furosemide/kg of body weight or saline solution IV 15 minutes before the first of two warm-up workouts (1.6 km at 60-minute intervals). Sixty minutes later, 135 minutes after drug or placebo injection, these horses were driven 1.6 km at maximum speed. Heart rate, respiratory rate, cardiac output, pulmonary trunk pressure, body temperature, PCV, arterial oxygen, and plasma lactic acid were recorded during and after the first warm-up workout and after a simulated race (1.6 km). Values increased compared with values determined at rest whether saline solution or furosemide was given. There were decreases in arterial CO2 and pH. When furosemide was given, the pulmonary trunk pressure was significantly lower (P < 0.05) during the first warm-up workout (1.6 km). There were no significant differences in the other values. The average times of the simulated races were not significantly (P < 0.05) different after the use of furosemide compared with average times after use of saline solution.
Publication Date: 1980-08-01 PubMed ID: 6778267
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- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research examined the effects of furosemide on the cardiovascular function and performance of six Standardbred horses under simulated racing conditions. It concluded that, although furosemide administration significantly lowered pulmonary trunk pressure during warm-up, it did not significantly affect overall performance in the subsequent simulated race.
Study Design & Participants
- The study was a double-blind experiment that simulated racing conditions.
- Six Standardbred horses who had been trained for 12 weeks were the subjects of the experiment.
Treatment
- Each horse was given either 1 mg of furosemide per kg of body weight or a saline solution intravenously, 15 minutes before the first of two warm-up workouts.
Procedure
- The horses underwent warm-up workouts of 1.6 km each at 60-minute intervals.
- 135 minutes after the injection of the drug or placebo, the horses were driven 1.6 km at maximum speed.
Parameters Recorded
- The study recorded several parameters, including heart rate, respiratory rate, cardiac output, body temperature, PCV, plasma lactic acid, and arterial oxygen during and after the first warm-up workout.
- These parameters were also recorded after the simulated races.
- The study also recorded any changes in arterial CO2 and pH levels.
Results
- Compared to values at rest, both the saline and furosemide groups experienced an increase in the recorded parameters.
- There were decreases in arterial CO2 and pH experienced by the horses.
- It was observed that the pulmonary trunk pressure was significantly lower (P < 0.05) during the first warm-up workout when furosemide was administered compared to saline solution.
- However, no significant differences were noted in other recorded values with the administration of the two treatments.
- The average times in the simulated races were not significantly different after the use of furosemide compared with times after saline solution.
Conclusions
- While furosemide was found to significantly lower pulmonary trunk pressure during the warm-up, it didn’t provide a significant improvement in overall race performance.
- Furosemide administration did not significantly speed up the horses in the simulated races compared to saline solution.
Cite This Article
APA
Milne DW, Gabel AA, Muir WW, Skarda RT, Hamlin RL, Pipers FS.
(1980).
Effects of furosemide on cardiovascular function and performance when given prior to simulated races: a double-blind study.
Am J Vet Res, 41(8), 1183-1189.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Blood Pressure / drug effects
- Carbon Dioxide / blood
- Cardiac Output / drug effects
- Cardiovascular System / drug effects
- Double-Blind Method
- Furosemide / pharmacology
- Heart Rate / drug effects
- Horses / physiology
- Oxygen / blood
- Physical Exertion
- Pulmonary Artery / drug effects
- Respiration / drug effects
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- 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.
- Donaldson LL. A review of the pathophysiology of exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage in the equine athlete. Vet Res Commun 1991;15(3):211-26.
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