Effect of commercially available nasal strips on airway resistance in exercising horses.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of a commercially available nasal strip on airway mechanics in exercising horses.


METHODS
6 horses (5 Standardbreds and 1 Thoroughbred).


METHODS
Horses exercised on a treadmill at speeds corresponding to 100 and 120% of maximal heart rate with and without application of a commercially available nasal strip. Concurrently, tracheal pressures, airflow, and heart rate were measured. Peak inspiratory and expiratory tracheal pressures, airflow, respiratory frequency, and tidal volume were recorded. Inspiratory and expiratory airway resistances were calculated by dividing peak pressures by peak flows. Endoscopic examination of the narrowest point of the nasal cavity (ie, nasal valve) was performed in 1 resting horse before, during, and after application of a nasal strip.


RESULTS
During exercise on a treadmill, peak tracheal inspiratory pressure and inspiratory airway resistance were significantly less when nasal strips were applied to horses exercising at speeds corresponding to 100 and 120% of maximal heart rate. Application of the nasal strip pulled the dorsal conchal fold laterally, expanding the dorsal meatus.


CONCLUSIONS
The commercially available nasal strip tented the skin over the nasal valve and dilated that section of the nasal passage, resulting in decreased airway resistance during inspiration. The nasal strip probably decreases the amount of work required for respiratory muscles in horses during intense exercise and may reduce the energy required for breathing in these horses.
Holcombe
Susan J
SJ
Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824, USA.
Berney
Cathy
C
Cornelisse
Cornelis J
CJ
Derksen
Frederik J
FJ
Robinson
N Edward
NE
D000403:Airway Resistance / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D004106:Dilatation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000662:veterinary; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006736:Horses / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009666:Nose / Q000502:physiology*; D010805:Physical Conditioning, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D011897:Random Allocation; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests / Q000662:veterinary