Pulmonary artery, aortic and oesophageal pressure changes during high intensity treadmill exercise in the horse: a possible relation to exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage.

This study investigated changes in packed cell volume (PCV), pulmonary artery and aortic pressures, and the interaction between oesophageal pressure and pulmonary artery and aortic pressures during strenuous exercise in the horse. It was hypothesised that oesophageal pressure changes summate with pulmonary artery and aortic pressures during exercise and contribute to exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH). Acute treadmill exercise (10 m/sec, 3 degrees incline) produced increases in heart rate (HR) from 50 to 202 beats/min; mean pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) from 28 to 80 mmHg; mean aortic pressure (AP) from 108 to 157 mmHg; and PCV from 0.35 to 0.52 litres/litre. EIPH was observed in three of seven horses after treadmill exercise, but no differences in the above variables were observed between the two groups of horses. Electronic subtraction of the oesophageal pressure signal from PAP and AP signals indicated peak transmural pressures of approximately 150 mmHg pulmonary and 175 mmHg aortic pressure. The elevated PAP associated with exercise appeared related more to increased HR and less to PCV (blood viscosity) or AP (bronchial). Both pulmonary artery and aortic peak transmural vascular pressures were substantially influenced by oesophageal pressure changes; peak and mean pulmonary artery and aortic pressures were significantly higher than resting pressures, and may conceivably contribute to EIPH.