Effects of intravenous aminocaproic acid on exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH).

This research article investigates the effects of aminocaproic acid (ACA), an antifibrinolytic agent, on Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage (EIPH) in horses. The study found that ACA was ineffective in preventing or reducing the severity of EIPH or enhancing the performance under the exercise conditions used.

Objective and Methodology

• The aim of the research was to test the impact of aminocaproic acid (ACA) on Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage (EIPH) in horses. This condition leads to bleeding in the lungs after an intense exercise, and ACA was deemed potentially useful because it prevents the breakdown of fibrin, a protein related to clotting, and could theoretically reduce bleeding.
• Eight Thoroughbreds were used in the study and they were exercised to fatigue on an inclined treadmill. The intensity of the exercise exceeded the level needed to reach maximal oxygen consumption.
• The horses were administered either a saline placebo, or 2 and 7 g ACA, intravenously 4 hours before the exercise.
• The severity of EIPH was gauged via the erythrocyte count in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). This fluid was collected 4 hours before and 30-60 minutes post exercise.

Results and Conclusions

• The results showed that administering ACA had no impact on any of the measured variables, including maximal oxygen consumption and run time. This indicates that ACA doesn’t boost performance under intense exercise conditions.
• All horses developed EIPH as demonstrated by the erythrocyte count in BALF. The severity of EIPH was not reduced by the ACA, invalidating the initial hypothesis that ACA might prevent or reduce bleeding in the lungs caused by exercise.
• The study concludes that ACA doesn’t effectively prevent or reduce EIPH in horses, nor improve performance in conditions exceeding the intensity needed for maximal oxygen uptake.