FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Volume kinetics of lactated Ringer’s solution in adult...
Equine veterinary journal2025; doi: 10.1111/evj.14534

Volume kinetics of lactated Ringer’s solution in adult horses.

Abstract: Fluid therapy in horses is primarily empirical. Evidence-based quantification of the disposition of intravenous (IV) crystalloids used in clinical practice could enhance the effectiveness of fluid therapy. Objective: To determine the pharmacokinetics (i.e., volume kinetics: VK) and associated haemodynamic effects of IV lactated Ringer's solution (LRS) in adult euvolemic horses. Methods: Unmasked multiple subjects, single baseline design. Methods: Thirteen healthy, euvolemic adult female horses were administered an IV bolus of LRS and monitored over 4 h. Haemoglobin, albumin and haematocrit concentrations were used to generate VK parameter estimates through a non-linear mixed effects model and stepwise covariate testing. Cardiorespiratory effects, hormonal parameters and urine output were monitored. Results: Administration of an IV bolus of LRS increased heart rate and systolic arterial pressure. Kinetic analysis was based on plasma albumin, as fluctuations in haemoglobin concentration suggested splenic recruitment of erythrocytes. Fluid disposition was best described by a two-volume fluid space model. Covariate analysis showed that a high systolic arterial pressure is associated with a decrease in urine output, and that haemoglobin recruitment was associated with the transfer of fluid from the central compartment, which was estimated to be 26.2 L, to a peripheral space. Kinetic constants showed rapid fluid distribution to the peripheral compartment and slow return to the central compartment, impeding fluid elimination from the body. Distribution of LRS from the central compartment was rapid but elimination from the body was slow. Conclusions: Limited sample size and sample collection duration may have influenced model selection and covariate identification. Conclusions: Volume kinetics provides a method for quantitatively describing the volume expanding effects of administered fluids. Fluid infusion is associated with an increase in heart rate and arterial blood pressure. Volume kinetic analysis offers a context-dependent method for developing and refining more effective fluid infusion protocols. Unassigned: Die Infusionstherapie bei Pferden erfolgt in erster Linie auf empirischer Basis. Eine evidenzbasierte Quantifizierung der Dosierung der in der klinischen Praxis verwendeten intravenösen (IV) kristalloiden Flüssigkeiten könnte die Wirksamkeit der Infusionstherapie verbessern. Unassigned: Ziel der Studie war es, die Pharmakokinetik (d.h. die Volumenkinetik: VK) und die damit verbundenen hämodynamischen Auswirkungen der intravenösen Verabreichung von laktierter Ringerlösung (LRS) bei adulten euvolemischen Pferden zu bestimmen. Methods: Unverblendete Studie, mehrere Probanden und einzelner Ausganswert. Methods: Dreizehn gesunde, euvolemische, adulte weibliche Pferde wurden nach der Verabreichung von einem IV‐Bolus von LRS für vier Stunden überwacht. Hämoglobin‐, Albumin und Hämatokrit‐Konzentrationen wurden zur Erstellung von VK‐Parameter‐Schätzungen mittels eines Modells mit nichtlinear gemischten Effekten und schrittweiser Kovariatenprüfung verwendet. Kardiorespiratorische Effekte, hormonelle Parameter und die Urinausscheidung wurden überwacht. Unassigned: Die Verabreichung eines IV‐Bolus von LRS erhöhte die Herzfrequenz und den systolischen arteriellen Blutdruck. Die kinetische Analyse basierte auf Plasmaalbumin, da Schwankungen der Hämoglobinkonzentration auf eine Rekrutierung von Erythrozyten aus der Milz hindeuteten. Die Flüssigkeitsdisposition wurde am besten durch ein zweivolumiges Flüssigkeitsraummodell beschrieben. Die Kovarianzanalyse zeigte, dass ein hoher systolischer arterieller Druck mit einer Abnahme der Urinausscheidung verbunden ist und dass die Hämoglobin‐Rekrutierung mit dem Transfer von Flüssigkeit aus dem zentralen Kompartiment, das auf 26,2 l geschätzt wurde, in einem peripherin Raum verbunden war. Die kinetischen Konstanten zeigten eine schnelle Flüssigkeitsverteilung in das periphere Kompartiment und eine langsame Rückkehr in das zentrale Kompartiment, was die Flüssigkeitsausscheidung aus dem Körper behinderte. Die Verteilung von LRS aus dem zentralen Kompartiment war schnell, aber die Ausscheidung aus dem Körper war langsam. WESENTLICHE EINSCHRÄNKUNGEN: Der begrenzte Umfang an Probanden und die Dauer der Datenerhebung könnten die Modellauswahl und die Identifizierung der Kovarianten beeinflusst haben. Unassigned: Die Volumenkinetik bietet eine Methode zur quantitativen Beschreibung der volumenvergröβernden Wirkung verabreichter Flüssigkeiten. Flüssigkeitinfusionen sind mit einem Anstieg der Herzfrequenz und des arteriellen Blutdrucks verbunden. Die volumenkinetische Analyse bietet eine kontextabhängige Methode zur Entwicklung und Verfeinerung effektiver Flüssigkeitinfusionsprotokolle.
© 2025 The Author(s). Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2025-05-13 PubMed ID: 40357908DOI: 10.1111/evj.14534Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The study looks into the volume kinetics of intravenous lactated Ringer’s solution (a type of fluid therapy) administered to adult horses, and its effects on their haemodynamics – the blood flow within their systems. The findings will help enhance the effectiveness of fluid therapy in horses.

Methodology

  • The study used a sample of thirteen healthy, euvolemic (normal levels of bodily fluids) adult female horses. They were each given an intravenous bolus of lactated Ringer’s solution (LRS).
  • Various factors such as the horses’ heart rates, hormonal parameters, urine output and hemoglobin, albumin, and hematocrit concentrations were monitored for a period of four hours post-administration.
  • A nonlinear mixed effects model and stepwise covariate testing were used to generate volume kinetic parameter estimates based on those observations.

Results

  • Administration of the LRS led to increased heart rate and systolic arterial pressure in the horses. There was also evidence of splenic recruitment of erythrocytes (red blood cells), reflected in the fluctuation of hemoglobin concentrations.
  • The way the fluid dispersed through the horse’s body was best described by a two-volume fluid space model. This means that the fluid rapidly distributed to a peripheral compartment before slowly returning to a central compartment—which impeded the fluid’s elimination from the body. This made the distribution of LRS from the central compartment quick, but its elimination slow.
  • A high systolic arterial pressure (the pressure exerted on the arteries when the heart contracts) was found to be associated with a decrease in urine output. It was also found that haemoglobin recruitment correlated with the transfer of fluid from the central to peripheral space.

Conclusions

  • Due to the small sample size and the limited sample collection duration, these factors may have influenced the selection of the model and the identification of covariates.
  • Volume kinetics provides a method for quantitatively describing the effects of administered fluids in terms of volume expansion. An increase in heart rate and arterial blood pressure is associated with the administration of fluids.
  • The volume kinetic analysis framework can thus be used to develop more tailored and effective fluid infusion protocols, which might vary depending on different situations or the characteristics of individual horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Muir WW, Yiew XT, Bateman SW, Hahn RG. (2025). Volume kinetics of lactated Ringer’s solution in adult horses. Equine Vet J. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.14534

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

Muir, William W
  • College of Veterinary Medicine at the Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, Tennessee, USA.
Yiew, Xiu Ting
  • Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
Bateman, Shane W
  • Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
Hahn, Robert G
  • Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Karolinska Institute at Danderyds Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.

Grant Funding

  • 23-0314 / Fu00e9du00e9ration Equestre Internat

References

This article includes 53 references
  1. Poole DC, Erickson HH. Highly athletic terrestrial mammals: horses and dogs.. Compr Physiol 2011;1(1):1–37.
    doi: 10.1002/cphy.c091001google scholar: lookup
  2. Freeman DE. Effect of feed intake on water consumption in horses: relevance to maintenance fluid therapy.. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:626081.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.626081google scholar: lookup
  3. Robayo‐Amortegui H, Quintero‐Altare A, Florez‐Mavas C, Serna‐Palacios I, Suarez‐Saavedra A, Buitrago‐Bernal R. Fluid dynamics of life: exploring the physiology and importance of water in critical illness.. Front Med 2024;11:1368502.
    doi: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1368502google scholar: lookup
  4. Fielding L. Crystalloid and colloid therapy.. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2014;30(2):415–425.
    doi: 10.1016/j.cveq.2014.04.008google scholar: lookup
  5. Hansen B. Fluid Overload.. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:668688.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.668688google scholar: lookup
  6. Crabtree NE, Epstein KL. Current concepts in fluid therapy in horses.. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:648774.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.648774google scholar: lookup
  7. Reuter DA, Chappell D, Perel A. The dark sides of fluid administration in the critically ill patient.. Intensive Care Med 2018;44:1138–1140.
    doi: 10.1007/s00134-017-4989-4google scholar: lookup
  8. Perez Nieto OR, Wong A, Lopez Fermin J, Zamarron Lopez EI, Meade Aguilar JA, Deloya Tomas E. Aiming for zero fluid accumulation: first, do no harm.. Anaesthesiol Intensive Ther 2021;53(2):162–178.
    doi: 10.5114/ait.2021.105252google scholar: lookup
  9. Messina A, Bakker J, Chew M, De Backer D, Hamzaoui O, Hernandez G. Pathophysiology of fluid administration in critically ill patients.. Intensive Care Med Exp 2022;10(1):46.
    doi: 10.1186/s40635-022-00473-4google scholar: lookup
  10. Raghunathan K, Shaw AD, Bagshaw SM. Fluids are drugs: type, dose and toxicity.. Curr Opin Crit Care 2013;19(4):290–298.
    doi: 10.1097/mcc.0b013e3283632d77google scholar: lookup
  11. Hahn RG. Understanding volume kinetics.. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand 2020;64(5):570–578.
    doi: 10.1111/aas.13533google scholar: lookup
  12. Yiew XT, Bateman SW, Hahn RG, Bersenas AME, Muir WW. Understanding volume kinetics: the role of pharmacokinetic modeling and analysis in fluid therapy.. Front Vet Sci 2020;7:587106.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2020.587106google scholar: lookup
  13. Woodcock TE, Woodcock TM. Revised Starling equation and the glycocalyx model of transvascular fluid exchange: an improved paradigm for prescribing intravenous fluid therapy.. Br J Anaesth 2012;108(3):384–394.
    doi: 10.1093/bja/aer515google scholar: lookup
  14. Muir W. Contemporary perspectives on perioperative fluid therapy.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2023;261(10):1539–1546.
    doi: 10.2460/javma.23.03.0160google scholar: lookup
  15. Hahn RG, Bergek C, Gebäck T, Zdolsek J. Interactions between the volume effects of hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 and Ringer's acetate.. Crit Care 2013;17:R104.
    doi: 10.1186/cc12749google scholar: lookup
  16. McBride C, Miller‐Hoover S, Proudfoot JA. A standard push-pull protocol for waste-free sampling in the pediatric intensive care unit.. J Infus Nurs 2018;41(3):189–197.
    doi: 10.1097/nan.0000000000000279google scholar: lookup
  17. Chevalier H, Posner LP, Ludders JW, Erb HN, Gleed RD. Assessment of the Hemocue-b for measuring hemoglobin in horse blood.. Vet Anaesth Analg 2003;30(2):114.
    doi: 10.1046/j.1467-2995.2003.0013333.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  18. Kohn CW, Strasser SL. 24-Hour renal clearance and excretion of endogenous substances in the mare.. Am J Vet Res 1986;47(6):1332–1337.
  19. Norberg A, Brauer KI, Prough DS, Gabrielsson J, Hahn RG, Uchida T. Volume turnover kinetics of fluid shifts after hemorrhage, fluid infusion, and the combination of hemorrhage and fluid infusion in sheep.. Anesthesiology 2005;102(5):985–994.
    doi: 10.1097/00000542-200505000-00018google scholar: lookup
  20. Hahn RG, Drobin D, Li Y, Zdolsek J. Kinetics of Ringer's solution in extracellular dehydration and hemorrhage.. Shock 2020;53(5):566–573.
    doi: 10.1097/shk.0000000000001422google scholar: lookup
  21. Dill DB, Costill DL. Calculation of percentage changes in volumes of blood, plasma, and red cells in dehydration.. J Appl Physiol 1974;37(2):247–248.
    doi: 10.1152/jappl.1974.37.2.247google scholar: lookup
  22. Macleod J, Ponder E. An observation on the red cell content of the blood of the thoroughbred horse.. Science 1946;103(2664):73.
    doi: 10.1126/science.103.2664.73google scholar: lookup
  23. Torten M, Schalm OW. Influence of the equine spleen on rapid changes in the concentration of erythrocytes in peripheral blood.. Am J Vet Res 1964;25:500–504.
  24. Marcilese NA, Valsecchi RM, Figueiras HD, Camberos HR, Varela JE. Normal blood volumes in the horse.. Am J Physiol 1964;207:223–227.
    doi: 10.1152/ajplegacy.1964.207.1.223google scholar: lookup
  25. Persson S. On blood volume and working capacity in horses. Studies of methodology and physiological and pathological variations.. Acta Vet Scand 1967;(Suppl 19):9–189.
  26. Persson SG, Ekman L, Lydin G, Tufvesson G. Circulatory effects of splenectomy in the horse. II. Effect on plasma volume and total and circulating red-cell volume.. Zentralbl Veterinarmed A 1973;20(6):456–468.
  27. Mangseth GR, Hornof WJ. A review of knowledge regarding blood volume and splenic reserve in the horse.. J Equine Vet Sci 1983;3(3):94–98.
    doi: 10.1016/s0737-0806(83)80023-9google scholar: lookup
  28. Hahn RG. Arterial pressure and the rate of elimination of crystalloid fluid.. Anesth Analg 2017;124(6):1824–1833.
    doi: 10.1213/ane.0000000000002075google scholar: lookup
  29. Kohn CW, Muir WW, Sams R. Plasma volume and extracellular fluid volume in horses at rest and following exercise.. Am J Vet Res 1978;39(5):871–874.
  30. Naylor JR, Bayly WM, Schott HC 2nd, Gollnick PD, Hodgson DR. Equine plasma and blood volumes decrease with dehydration but subsequently increase with exercise.. J Appl Physiol 1985;75(2):1002–1008.
    doi: 10.1152/jappl.1993.75.2.1002google scholar: lookup
  31. Persson SG, Funkquist P, Nyman G. Total blood volume in the normally performing Standardbred trotter: age and sex variations.. Zentralbl Veterinarmed A 1996;43(1):57–64.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0442.1996.tb00428.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  32. Selkurt EE, Somack I, Dailey WN. Mechanism of natriuresis and diuresis during eleavated renal arterial pressure.. Am J Physiol 1965;209:95–99.
    doi: 10.1152/ajplegacy.1965.209.1.95google scholar: lookup
  33. Carlström M, Wilcox CS, Arendshorst WJ. Renal autoregulation in health and disease.. Physiol Rev 2015;95(2):405–511.
    doi: 10.1152/physrev.00042.2012google scholar: lookup
  34. Jacob M, Chappell D, Hofmann‐Kiefer K, Helfen T, Schuelke A, Jacob B. The intravascular volume effect of Ringer's lactate is below 20%: a prospective study in humans.. Crit Care 2012;16(3):R86.
    doi: 10.1186/cc11344google scholar: lookup
  35. Ewaldsson CA, Hahn RG. Kinetics and extravascular retention of acetated Ringer's solution during isoflurane or propofol anesthesia for thyroid surgery.. Anesthesiology 2005;103(3):460–469.
    doi: 10.1097/00000542-200509000-00006google scholar: lookup
  36. Yiew XT, Bateman SW, Hahn RG, Bersenas AME. Evaluation of the distribution and elimination of balanced isotonic crystalloid, 5% hypertonic saline, and 6% tetrastarch 130/0.4 using volume kinetic modeling and analysis in healthy conscious cats.. Front Vet Sci 2020;7:587564.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2020.587564google scholar: lookup
  37. Hahn RG. Sequential recruitment of body fluid spaces for increasing volumes of crystalloid fluid.. Front Physiol 2024;15:1439035.
    doi: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1439035google scholar: lookup
  38. Monnet X, Marik PE, Teboul JL. Prediction of fluid responsiveness: an update.. Ann Intensive Care 2016;6(1):111.
    doi: 10.1186/s13613-016-0216-7google scholar: lookup
  39. Boysen SR, Gommeren K. Assessment of volume status and fluid responsiveness in small animals.. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:630643.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.630643google scholar: lookup
  40. Macfarlane W, Howard B, Haines H, Kennedy PJ, Sharpe CM. Hierarchy of water and energy turnover of desert mammals.. Nature 1971;234:483–484.
    doi: 10.1038/234483a0google scholar: lookup
  41. Argenzio RA, Lowe JE, Pickard DW, Stevens CE. Digesta passage and water exchange in the equine large intestine.. Am J Physiol 1974;226(5):1035–1042.
    doi: 10.1152/ajplegacy.1974.226.5.1035google scholar: lookup
  42. Lester GD, Merritt AM, Kuck HV, Burrow JA. Systemic, renal, and colonic effects of intravenous and enteral rehydration in horses.. J Vet Intern Med 2013;27(3):554–566.
    doi: 10.1111/jvim.12073google scholar: lookup
  43. Britton SW. Comparative effects on the circulatory system of positive and negative accelerations; the Marey law.. Am J Physiol 1949;156(1):1–11.
    doi: 10.1152/ajplegacy.1949.156.1.1google scholar: lookup
  44. Slinker BK, Campbell KB, Alexander JE, Klavano PA. Arterial baroreflex control of heart rate in the horse, pig, and calf.. Am J Vet Res 1982;43(11):1926–1933.
  45. Suarez‐Roca H, Mamoun N, Sigurdson MI, Maixner W. Baroreceptor modulation of the cardiovascular system, pain, consciousness, and cognition.. Compr Physiol 2021;11(2):1373–1423.
    doi: 10.1002/cphy.c190038google scholar: lookup
  46. Bainbridge FA. The influence of venous filling upon the rate of the heart.. J Physiol 1915;50(2):65–84.
    doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.1915.sp001736google scholar: lookup
  47. Boettcher DH, Zimpfer M, Vatner SF. Phylogenesis of the Bainbridge reflex.. Am J Physiol 1982;242(3):R244–R246.
    doi: 10.1152/ajpregu.1982.242.3.r244google scholar: lookup
  48. Crystal GJ, Salem MR. The Bainbridge and the “reverse” Bainbridge reflexes: history, physiology, and clinical relevance.. Anesth Analg 2012;114(3):520–532.
    doi: 10.1213/ane.0b013e3182312e21google scholar: lookup
  49. Campagna JA, Carter C. Clinical relevance of the Bezold-Jarisch reflex.. Anesthesiology 2003;98(5):1250–1260.
    doi: 10.1097/00000542-200305000-00030google scholar: lookup
  50. Mark AL. The Bezold-Jarisch reflex revisited: clinical implications of inhibitory reflexes originating in the heart.. J Am Coll Cardiol 1983;1(1):90–102.
    doi: 10.1016/s0735-1097(83)80014-xgoogle scholar: lookup
  51. Rippe B, Haraldsson B. Fluid and protein fluxes across small and large pores in the microvasculature. Application of two-pore equations.. Acta Physiol Scand 1987;131(3):411–428.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1748-1716.1987.tb08257.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  52. Caironi P, Langer T, Gattinoni L. Albumin in critically ill patients: the ideal colloid?. Curr Opin Crit Care 2015;21(4):302–308.
    doi: 10.1097/mcc.0000000000000223google scholar: lookup
  53. Brace RA, Power GG. Effects of hypotonic, isotonic, and hypertonic fluids on thoracic duct lymph flow.. Am J Physiol 1983;245(6):R785–R791.
    doi: 10.1152/ajpregu.1983.245.6.r785google scholar: lookup

Citations

This article has been cited 0 times.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,359 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.