Pneumatic compression therapy using the EQ Press accelerates lymphatic flow in healthy equine forelimbs as determined by lymphoscintigraphy.
Abstract: Limb lymphedema in horses can be debilitating and painful. Pneumatic compression therapy has shown significant benefits for people suffering from lymphedema. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of a novel, equine-specific pneumatic compression device on the lymphatic flow of healthy horse forelimbs as determined by Tc-99m sulfur colloid lymphoscintigraphy. Methods: 6 healthy Thoroughbreds. Methods: In a randomized crossover design, horses underwent bilateral forelimb lymphoscintigraphy following subcutaneous injection of Tc-99m sulfur colloid at the coronary band as untreated control or with pneumatic compression therapy using the EQ Press. Lateral, static images were obtained of the distal limb (time 0 to 60 minutes) and proximal limb (time 30 to 60 minutes) using a standard gamma camera. Lymphatic flow was determined by assigning a score to the time point at which Tc-99m sulfur colloid was first visualized at the level of the accessory carpal bone (1 to 7) in the distal limb and the cubital lymph node (1 to 4) in the proximal limb. Results: EQ Press treatment led to a significantly faster lymphatic flow of Tc-99m sulfur colloid to the predetermined anatomic locations of the accessory carpal bone (P = .002) in the distal limb and the cubital lymph node (P = .001) in the proximal limb. Conclusions: Pneumatic compression therapy as provided by an equine-specific device encouraged lymphatic flow in healthy, nonedematous equine forelimbs. These data support further study of the EQ Press for pneumatic compression therapy in horses clinically affected by lymphedema and lymphatic drainage disorders.
Publication Date: 2023-02-21 PubMed ID: 36800296PubMed Central: PMC11046311DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.22.12.0214Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research presents a study conducted on the use of an equine-specific pneumatic compression device to determine its effects on the lymphatic flow in healthy horse forelimbs. The findings indicate that the device significantly accelerated lymphatic flow, suggesting potential benefits for horses suffering from lymphedema or lymphatic drainage disorders.
Objective and Methodology
- The primary objective of this research was to use a novel, equine-specific pneumatic compression device, the EQ Press, to analyze its impact on lymphatic flow in healthy horse forelimbs.
- The research employed a randomized crossover design and was conducted on six healthy Thoroughbred horses.
- Each horse went through bilateral forelimb lymphoscintigraphy after subcutaneous injection of Tc-99m sulfur colloid at the coronary band. This was done both under untreated control conditions and with EQ Press therapy.
- Lateral static images of the distal and proximal limbs were captured using a standard gamma camera. The lymphatic flow was evaluated based on a scoring system related to the time point at which the Tc-99m sulfur colloid was first visualized at the accessory carpal bone in the distal limb and the cubital lymph node in the proximal limb.
Results
- The application of EQ Press treatment resulted in a significantly faster lymphatic flow of the Tc-99m sulfur colloid to predetermined anatomical locations
- These locations included the accessory carpal bone in the distal limb and the cubital lymph node in the proximal limb, with significant p-values of .002, and .001, respectively.
Conclusion
- This research confirms that pneumatic compression therapy utilizing an equine-specific device effectively boosts lymphatic flow in healthy, nonedematous equine forelimbs.
- This indicates potential benefits of the EQ Press for pneumatic compression therapy in horses clinically affected by lymphedema and lymphatic drainage disorders. As such, the data gathered in this study support additional investigation of the EQ Press for practical therapeutic applications in these conditions.
Cite This Article
APA
Koch DW, Schnabel LV, Reynolds J, Berry CR.
(2023).
Pneumatic compression therapy using the EQ Press accelerates lymphatic flow in healthy equine forelimbs as determined by lymphoscintigraphy.
Am J Vet Res, 84(4).
https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.22.12.0214 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC.
- Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC.
- Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC.
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC.
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC.
MeSH Terms
- Horses
- Animals
- Lymphoscintigraphy / veterinary
- Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid
- Lymph Nodes
- Lymphedema / diagnostic imaging
- Lymphedema / therapy
- Lymphedema / veterinary
- Forelimb / diagnostic imaging
- Radiopharmaceuticals
- Horse Diseases / pathology
Grant Funding
- T32 OD011130 / NIH HHS
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