Wm. Bayly et Rf. Slocombe, AIR-FLOW MECHANICS IN MODELS OF EQUINE OBSTRUCTIVE AIRWAY DISEASE UNDER CONDITIONS SIMULATING EXERCISE, Research in Veterinary Science, 62(3), 1997, pp. 205-211
Effects of respiratory tract obstructions on ventilatory mechanics in
horses exercising at high speeds were tested with a fibreglass replica
of the airways (nares to mainstem bronchi) of an adult horse. Segment
al pressures were recorded at six sites along the model at four differ
ent unidirectional flows (1300 - 4100 litre min(-1)), and the respecti
ve resistances (R) to airflow were calculated. The external nares and
the larynx made the greatest contributions to the total resistance (R-
TOT) when no obstruction was present. Modifying the model to simulate
severe pharyngeal lymphoid hyperplasia (PLH) had no effect on R at the
larynx or at any point in the trachea under these flow conditions. Tw
o 16 litre anaesthetic rebreathing bags were attached to the bronchial
end of the model, and tidal ventilation generated by a piston pump. U
pper (nares to pharynx) and lower tract R (R-U and R-L) and R-TOT, and
dynamic compliance were determined for pump volumes (V-p) of six and
12 litres, at pumping frequencies (f(p)) of 20 - 100 min(-1) while the
airway was clear, and after modifying it to simulate either PLH or pa
rtial bronchial obstruction. Model condition had no effect on R-U. How
ever, R-L and R-TOT Were higher in the PLH simulated condition when f(
p) greater than or equal to 90 and V-p = 12 litres (P<0.05). This sugg
ested that severe PLH may significantly interfere with airflow distal
to the site of the lesions during high frequency, high volume ventilat
ion of the type seen in galloping horses. With partial bronchial obstr
uction R-L and R-TOT Were increased when f(p)>34 with each V-p. The ap
plicability of the model was verified by comparing results from the un
obstructed state with those from normal horses exercising on a treadmi
ll.