The use of impulse oscillometry for separate analysis of inspiratory and expiratory impedance parameters in horses: effects of sedation with xylazine.
Abstract: To improve the outcome of parameters measured by the impulse oscillometry system (IOS) in horses by separate assessment of inspiratory and expiratory impedance spectra in the frequency range between 1 and 10 Hz. As basis for further studies, the influence of sedation with xylazine on respiratory impedance was also investigated. Methods: (i) The respiratory impedance of 11 horses was measured using IOS before and 6 min after sedation (xylazine; 0.6 mg/kg b.w.). (ii) The time course of impedance parameters in a period of 24 min after administration of xylazine was evaluated in 12 horses at regular intervals of 3 min. Resistance (R(rs)), reactance (X(rs)), and coherence (Co) were calculated as mean spectra (R(rs),X(rs),Co) of the entire measurement as well as separated into inspiration (Ri(rs),Xi(rs),Coi) and expiration (Re(rs),Xe(rs),Coe) at frequencies of 1, 5, and 10 Hz. Results: (i) R(rs), X(rs) as well as Re(rs) and Xe(rs) revealed no significant influence of sedation. However, separate analysis of inspiration and expiration revealed a significant influence of sedation on all inspiratory impedance parameters. (ii) During the 24 min period after sedation, almost all inspiratory parameters were found significantly dependent on the time course of sedation whereas expiratory parameters Re10, Xe1, and Xe5 were not influenced. These results indicate that confounding factors due to sedation act mainly during inspiration. Muscle relaxation in upper airways due to xylazine is suspected to be the main cause of these phenomena.
Publication Date: 2005-08-10 PubMed ID: 16098552DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2005.06.005Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Clinical Trial
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research article focuses on understanding how sedation with xylazine affects the respiratory impedance of horses, analysed using the impulse oscillometry system (IOS) for inspiratory and expiratory parameters. The results show a significant influence of sedation on all inspiratory impedance parameters.
Methodology
- In this study, the respiratory impedance of 11 horses was measured twice using the IOS: once before, and once six minutes after, sedation with xylazine (dosage 0.6 mg/kg of body weight).
- Different impedance parameters – resistance (Rrs), reactance (Xrs), and coherence (Co) – were calculated as mean spectra for the entire measurement, as well as separately for inspiration (Rirs, Xirs, Coi) and expiration (Rers, Xers, Coe) at frequencies of 1, 5, and 10 Hz.
- In addition, the researchers observed the time course of these impedance parameters for 24 minutes after administration of xylazine in 12 horses, measured at regular intervals of three minutes.
Results
- After analysing the data, the researchers concluded that sedation had no significant influence on Rrs, Xrs, Rers, or Xers. However, when separately analysing inspiration and expiration, they found that sedation significantly affected all inspiratory impedance parameters.
- In the additional study on the time course following sedation, mostly all inspiratory parameters were found to be significantly dependent on the passage of time after sedation, while the expiratory parameters Re10, Xe1, and Xe5 remained unaffected.
Interpretation and Conclusion
- The researchers interpreted these results to mean that factors interfering due to sedation primarily impact the inspiration process.
- They suspected that the primary cause of the phenomena observed in the study is muscle relaxation in the horses’ upper airways caused by xylazine.
- Through this research, a better understanding of how sedation affects the respiratory function of horses, specifically during inspiration, could be achieved, and such knowledge could directly impact veterinary practices involving sedation.
Cite This Article
APA
Klein C, Smith HJ, Reinhold P.
(2005).
The use of impulse oscillometry for separate analysis of inspiratory and expiratory impedance parameters in horses: effects of sedation with xylazine.
Res Vet Sci, 80(2), 201-208.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rvsc.2005.06.005 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Research Centre of Medical Technology and Biotechnology (fzmb), Geranienweg 7, D-99947 Bad Langensalza, Germany. cklein@fzmb.de
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Conscious Sedation / veterinary
- Horses / physiology
- Hypnotics and Sedatives / pharmacology
- Respiratory Mechanics / drug effects
- Time Factors
- Xylazine / pharmacology
Citations
This article has been cited 6 times.- 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).
- Bullone M, Hélie P, Joubert P, Lavoie JP. Development of a Semiquantitative Histological Score for the Diagnosis of Heaves Using Endobronchial Biopsy Specimens in Horses. J Vet Intern Med 2016 Sep;30(5):1739-1746.
- 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.
- 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.
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