Measurement of respiratory function by impulse oscillometry in horses.
Abstract: Due to technical implementations and lack of sensitivity, pulmonary function tests are seldom used in clinical practice. Impulse oscillometry (IOS) could represent an alternative method. Objective: To define feasibility, methodology and repeatability of IOS, a forced oscillation technique that measures respiratory resistance (Rrs) and reactance (Xrs) from 5 to 35 Hz during spontaneous breathing, in horses. Methods: Using 38 healthy horses, Rrs and Xrs reference values were defined and influence of individual biometrical parameters was investigated. In addition, IOS measurements of 6 horses showing clinical signs of heaves were compared to those of 6 healthy horses. Results: Airtightness and minimal dead space in the facemask were prerequisites to IOS testing and standardisation of head position was necessary to avoid variations in Rrs due to modified upper airway geometry. In both healthy and diseased animals, measurements were repeatable. In standard-type breeds, the influence of the horse's size on IOS parameters was negligible. An increase in R5Hz greater than 0.10 kPa/l/sec and R5Hz>R10Hz, combined with negative values of Xrs between 5 and 20 Hz, was indicative of heaves crisis. Conclusions: IOS is a quick, minimally invasive and informative method for pulmonary function testing in healthy and diseased horses. Conclusions: IOS is a promising method for routine and/or field respiratory clinical testing in the equine species.
Publication Date: 2004-02-06 PubMed ID: 14756367DOI: 10.2746/0425164044864714Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Biomechanics
- Clinical Study
- Comparative Study
- Diagnosis
- Diagnostic Technique
- Disease Diagnosis
- Disease Etiology
- Disease Treatment
- Equine Diseases
- Equine Health
- Horses
- In Vivo
- Minimally Invasive Surgery
- Pathophysiology
- Physiology
- Pulmonary Health
- Respiratory Health
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Practice
- Veterinary Procedure
- Veterinary Research
Summary
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The research explores the viability, methodology, and repetition characteristics of Impulse Oscillometry (IOS) – a method that determines respiratory resistance and reactance at different frequencies – in horses. The study finds that IOS is an effective, swift, and minimally invasive procedure for assessing pulmonary function in both healthy and diseased horses.
Methodology
- The study was conducted on 38 healthy horses to establish reference values for respiratory resistance and reactance. These reference values would be used to identify any deviations from the norm, thereby making possible the identification of anomalies in respiratory function.
- The influence of individual traits such as the size of the horse on IOS parameters was also investigated.
- Comparison tests were performed on 6 healthy horses and 6 horses exhibiting signs of heaves, a condition similar to human asthma that affects horses.
Findings
- For accurate IOS testing, total sealing (airtightness) and minimal dead space in the facemask were found to be essential conditions, along with a standardized head position for the horse being tested.
- The tests showed repeatability of criteria in both healthy and diseased horses, making it a reliable method for routine or field respiratory clinical testing in horses.
- The influence of horse size on IOS parameters was found to be negligible in standard-type breeds, making the method widely applicable.
Identifying Heaves
- An increase in the resistance at 5Hz (R5Hz) by more than 0.10 kPa/l/sec, combined with an R5Hz value greater than the resistance at 10Hz (R10Hz), along with negative reactance results between 5 and 20 Hz, were identified as indicators of a heaves crisis in horses. This means that assessing these parameters can provide early warning signs of this disease.
Conclusion
- The study concludes that IOS is an effective, minimally invasive, and speedy method for testing pulmonary function in both healthy and diseased horses. Its high repeatability, and the fact that it is not influenced by horse size in standard breeds, makes it a promising method for routine and field respiratory testing in equines.
Cite This Article
APA
van Erck E, Votion D, Art T, Lekeux P.
(2004).
Measurement of respiratory function by impulse oscillometry in horses.
Equine Vet J, 36(1), 21-28.
https://doi.org/10.2746/0425164044864714 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Laboratory for Functional Investigation, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.
MeSH Terms
- Airway Obstruction / diagnosis
- Airway Obstruction / veterinary
- Airway Resistance
- Animals
- Case-Control Studies
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horses / physiology
- Oscillometry / methods
- Oscillometry / veterinary
- Reference Values
- Reproducibility of Results
- Respiratory Function Tests / instrumentation
- Respiratory Function Tests / methods
- Respiratory Function Tests / veterinary
- Sensitivity and Specificity
Citations
This article has been cited 13 times.- Frippiat T, Art T, Tosi I. Airway Hyperresponsiveness, but Not Bronchoalveolar Inflammatory Cytokines Profiles, Is Modified at the Subclinical Onset of Severe Equine Asthma. Animals (Basel) 2023 Aug 1;13(15).
- Mainguy-Seers S, Beaudry F, Fernandez-Prada C, Martin JG, Lavoie JP. Neutrophil Extracellular Vesicles and Airway Smooth Muscle Proliferation in the Natural Model of Severe Asthma in Horses. Cells 2022 Oct 24;11(21).
- Mainguy-Seers S, Diaw M, Lavoie JP. Lung Function Variation during the Estrus Cycle of Mares Affected by Severe Asthma. Animals (Basel) 2022 Feb 17;12(4).
- Kozłowska N, Wierzbicka M, Jasiński T, Domino M. Advances in the Diagnosis of Equine Respiratory Diseases: A Review of Novel Imaging and Functional Techniques. Animals (Basel) 2022 Feb 4;12(3).
- Stucchi L, Ferrucci F, Bullone M, Dellacà RL, Lavoie JP. Within-Breath Oscillatory Mechanics in Horses Affected by Severe Equine Asthma in Exacerbation and in Remission of the Disease. Animals (Basel) 2021 Dec 21;12(1).
- Herteman N, Vargas A, Lavoie JP. Characterization of Circulating Low-Density Neutrophils Intrinsic Properties in Healthy and Asthmatic Horses. Sci Rep 2017 Aug 10;7(1):7743.
- Onmaz AC, Stoklas-Schmidt C, van den Hoven R. Daily variability of forced oscillometry parameters in horses suffering recurrent airway obstruction, a pilot study. Vet Res Commun 2013 Mar;37(1):11-7.
- Toussaint M, Fievez L, Desmet CJ, Pirottin D, Farnir F, Bureau F, Lekeux P. Increased hypoxia-inducible factor 1α expression in lung cells of horses with recurrent airway obstruction. BMC Vet Res 2012 May 23;8:64.
- Lendl L, Barton AK. Equine Asthma Diagnostics: Review of Influencing Factors and Difficulties in Diagnosing Subclinical Disease. Animals (Basel) 2024 Dec 4;14(23).
- Lo Feudo CM, Ferrucci F, Bizzotto D, Dellacà R, Lavoie JP, Stucchi L. Differences in pulmonary function measured by oscillometry between horses with mild-moderate equine asthma and healthy controls. Equine Vet J 2025 May;57(3):619-628.
- Mozo Vives B, Mainguy-Seers S, Lavoie JP. Comparative study of the bronchodilator efficacy and adverse effects of salbutamol and hyoscine butylbromide in horses with severe asthma. J Vet Intern Med 2024 May-Jun;38(3):1835-1841.
- Greim E, Naef J, Mainguy-Seers S, Lavoie JP, Sage S, Dolf G, Gerber V. Breath characteristics and adventitious lung sounds in healthy and asthmatic horses. J Vet Intern Med 2024 Jan-Feb;38(1):495-504.
- Simões J, Tilley P. Decision Making in Severe Equine Asthma-Diagnosis and Monitoring. Animals (Basel) 2023 Dec 16;13(24).
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