Exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage in horses: the role of pulmonary veins

Compend Contin Educ Vet. 2011 Apr;33(4):E6.

Abstract

While airway endoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage are the methodsof choice for diagnosing exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH), these techniques do not allow accurate evaluation of the severity of bleeding. EIPH pathology is characterized by occlusive remodeling of pulmonary veins. Affected veins have large collagen deposits in their walls, which reduces their lumens. In the caudodorsal regions, pulmonary vein wall remodeling is associated with hemosiderin accumulation, bronchial circulation angiogenesis, and fibrosis of the alveolar interstitium, bronchovascular bundle, septa, and pleura. During exercise, venous occlusion increases regional pulmonary capillary pressure, likely causing capillary rupture and resulting in bleeding.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / chemistry
  • Capillaries / pathology
  • Furosemide / therapeutic use
  • Hemorrhage / diagnosis
  • Hemorrhage / drug therapy
  • Hemorrhage / veterinary*
  • Horse Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Horse Diseases / drug therapy
  • Horses
  • Inflammation / diagnosis
  • Inflammation / drug therapy
  • Inflammation / veterinary
  • Lung Diseases / diagnosis
  • Lung Diseases / drug therapy
  • Lung Diseases / veterinary*
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Physical Conditioning, Animal / adverse effects*
  • Pulmonary Veins / pathology*

Substances

  • Furosemide