Intra-abdominal Pressure Screening of Horses With Colic.

The objective of this study was to evaluate changes in intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) in horses with colic by associating the underlying etiologies with directly acquired IAP values and survival rate. This is a 2-year cohort study (2014-2016). Horses with clinical signs of colic were admitted to the veterinary teaching hospital during the period 2014-2016. Twenty-eight horses, of different breeds, males (stallions and geldings) and females, aged between 2 and 20 years, and weighing from 300 to 450 kg presenting with clinical signs of colic, were included in the study. IAP was directly acquired at the right flank (standing under sedation) and at the linea alba (supine position under general anesthesia). Twenty IAP measurements were recorded at end expiration for each recording site. IAP values >0.0 mmHg, obtained at the upper right flank in the standing position, were associated with surgical treatment (P < .05). In these cases, signs of colic were associated with strangulated obstructions of the large colon, and a greater likelihood of death as a result of colic (P < .001). Intra-abdominal pressure varied considerably in horses with colic, even for the same underlying etiologies. Horses with colic related to strangulating obstructions of the large intestine had IAP >.0 mmHg, at the upper right flank. These horses were also considerably more likely to require surgical intervention (P < .05) and death/euthanasia was more likely in this group of horses (P < .001).

Intrabladder pressure as predictor of intra-abdominal pressure in horses.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate effects of postural changes and bladder distention on intrabladder pressure whilst estimating intra-abdominal pressure in horses. DESIGN: Two-year cohort study. Patients admitted for elective surgical procedures unrelated to gastrointestinal or genitourinary tract. SETTING: School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil. ANIMALS: 20 adult horses, 11 males (stallions and geldings) and 9 females; between 3.5 and 12 years, weighing 350 to 500 kg. INTERVENTIONS: Intra-abdominal pressure was directly-recorded through abdominocentesis at the ventral midline with a fluid-filled system. Intrabladder pressure was obtained from a bladder catheter with the fluid-filled system zeroed at the level of the tuber ischia with patients in dorsal recumbency or pubic symphysis if in lateral recumbency. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Body position directly influenced intra-abdominal pressure. In dorsal recumbency, intra-abdominal pressure differed (p < 0.05) from intrabladder pressure at end-inspiration and end-expiration regardless of whether the bladder was empty or distended. There was no correlation nor association between the two pressures in this body position. In lateral recumbency a difference (p <0.05) between intra-abdominal pressure and intrabladder pressure was recorded at end-inspiration with the bladder distended with 25 ml, and at end-expiration for distension volumes of 25 ml and 50 ml. There was a strong correlation between both pressures for left and right lateral recumbency, regardless of the distension volume. Ordinary least product (OLP) regression analysis showed no fixed or proportional bias between both pressures for distension volume of 50 ml, at both end-inspiration and end-expiration. CONCLUSIONS: Indirect assessment of equine intra-abdominal pressure cannot be made in dorsal recumbency. For that purpose, patients should be in left lateral recumbency with the bladder distended with 50 ml. Values can be recorded at end-inspiration or end-expiration. RESTRICTION: Occlusion of the catheter tip by the bladder wall when minimally distended.