Associations between Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage (EIPH) and Fitness Parameters Measured by Incremental Treadmill Test in Standardbred Racehorses.
Authors: Lo Feudo Chiara Maria, Stucchi Luca, Stancari Giovanni, Alberti Elena, Conturba Bianca, Zucca Enrica, Ferrucci Francesco
Journal: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Summary
# Editorial Summary: EIPH and Fitness Parameters in Standardbred Racehorses Despite affecting up to 95% of racing Standardbreds, the relationship between exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH) and measurable athletic capacity remains poorly understood in the scientific literature, prompting Lo Feudo and colleagues to investigate whether EIPH influences key fitness markers in underperforming horses. The team retrospectively analysed treadmill test data from 81 poorly performing Standardbreds, correlating EIPH severity (determined via tracheobronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cytology) with established fitness parameters including V200 (speed at 200 bpm heart rate), VLa4 and HRLa4 (speed and heart rate at 4 mmol/L blood lactate), peak lactate, maximum speed, and acid–base balance. Notably, traditional fitness indicators showed no significant association with EIPH status; however, EIPH-positive horses demonstrated significantly elevated hematocrit values (r = 0.47, p = 0.0072), implying that blood thickening and resulting increases in pulmonary capillary pressure may contribute mechanistically to haemorrhage development rather than poor fitness per se. For practitioners managing racehorses with suspected EIPH, these findings suggest that fitness testing alone may not predict EIPH severity, whilst haematological assessment—particularly hematocrit measurement—warrants closer attention as a potential modifiable risk factor in EIPH prevention strategies.
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Practical Takeaways
- •EIPH presence alone does not appear to directly impair the fitness markers (V200, VLa4, HRLa4) measured by treadmill testing in underperforming horses, suggesting other factors may explain poor race performance
- •Monitor hematocrit values in EIPH-positive horses, as elevated hemoconcentration may be part of the EIPH mechanism and warrant investigation of hydration and blood volume management
- •Clinical assessment of poorly performing racehorses should not rely solely on EIPH diagnosis; comprehensive fitness evaluation via incremental treadmill testing remains important for identifying true performance limitations
Key Findings
- •No significant relationship found between EIPH and key fitness parameters V200, VLa4, or HRLa4 in poorly performing Standardbreds
- •EIPH-positive horses demonstrated significantly higher hematocrit values (p = 0.0072, r = 0.47)
- •Hemoconcentration may influence pulmonary capillary pressure and contribute to EIPH pathogenesis
- •EIPH affects up to 95% of racehorses but scientific evidence linking it to performance metrics remains limited