The effect of 7.2% hypertonic saline solution on echocardiographic parameters of healthy horses.

The research article focuses on the cardiovascular effects and duration of action of hypertonic saline solution on healthy horses through a process involving the measurement of cardiac parameters derived from echocardiography.

Objective and Methods of the Study

• The intention of the study was to deduce how hypertonic saline affects cardiac measurements extracted from echocardiography and observes these effects for 90 minutes post-infusion in healthy and euvolaemic (having normal blood volume) horses. This serves to contribute to the existing understanding of the effects and action duration of hypertonic saline.
• In the methodology, the study conducted an experimental trial on five healthy conscious euvolaemic horses. Each horse was infused with 5 ml/kg body weight of hypertonic saline through a jugular catheter over a duration of 1 hour.
• Echocardiographic images were obtained from the right parasternal window immediately before infusion and also at specific time intervals – 0, 20, 40, 60, and 90 minutes after the completion of the infusion. Parameters like the left ventricular internal diameter at the end of diastole and left ventricular internal diameter in peak systole were measured. The ventricular volume measurements were calculated using the Teicholz method.
• The data gathered was analysed through a mixed effects model, considering the horse as a random effect. The study also examined the effect of observation time, considering the correlation between observations.

Results of the Study

• The results showed a significant increase in fractional shortening and ejection fraction 40 minutes after the completion of the infusion.
• Parameters such as left ventricular internal diameter at end diastole, the end-diastolic volume and the stroke volume all increased at 20, 40 and 60 minutes compared with pre-infusion values.
• Significant variations were also noted between the 0 and 40, 40 and 90, and 60 and 90 time points. However, other parameters did not have significant differences between the time points.

Conclusion of the Research

• The conclusion from the study stated that hypertonic saline increases end-diastolic and stroke volume for nearly an hour after completion of a 60-minute infusion in euvolaemic horses.
• This discovery is valuable for clinicians as it adds to the existing knowledge regarding the duration of action of hypertonic saline.