Received: 3 April 2024 | Accepted: 3 April 2024 DOI: 10.1111/eve.13978
R E S E A R CH HIGHL IGHT S Highlights of recent clinically relevant papers
PREDICTION OF PARTURITION In this study, Humberto Magalhaes and co- workers in the United States assessed the ability of conductivity, pH and Brix in the mammary gland secretions to predict parturition . The mammary gland secretions of 241 periparturient mares were
assessed daily for conductivity, pH and Brix index from 320 days until parturition using stable- side handheld devices. Receiving op- erating curve cut- off values for conductivity (≤4.8 mS/cm), pH (≤6.4) and Brix index (>23.6%) were used to calculate sensitivity, speci- ficity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) for predicting parturition in ≤24 h. Impending parturition was associated with a significant re-
duction in conductivity and pH, and conductivity was strongly correlated with pH and Brix. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV for parturition in ≤24 h for conductivity (82%, 91%, 77% and 92%, respectively), pH (79%, 84%, 81% and 71%, respectively) and Brix (72%, 79%, 66% and 83%, respectively) were determined. The an- alytes were also combined in pairs to predict parturition in ≤24 h. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV, of combining conductivity and pH, were 80%, 95%, 90% and 88%, respectively. Conductivity (≤4.8 mS/cm) presented the greatest odds ratio for predicting par- turition in ≤24 h and coupling it with pH (≤6.4 pH units) doubled its odds ratio (i.e. 25.4–62.3).
POST- FIXATION TWIN REDUCTION
This study by Leonie Arnold and co- workers in The Netherlands evalu- ated the success of transrectal ultrasound- guided fetal thorax compres- sion for reducing post- fixation twin pregnancy in mares . Sixteen mares were presented for twin reduction between 51
and 79 days of gestation. History was obtained, including mare de- tails (age, breed), pregnancy (day of gestation, dizygotic vs. monozy- gotic twins, unilateral vs. bilateral fixation), treatment and outcome (one live fetus at discharge; live singleton at foaling) after twin re- duction. Transrectal fetal thorax compression was performed under ultrasound guidance by two experienced operators. Overall, 9 of 16 twin pregnancies were successfully reduced. The
procedure was successful in 9 of 10 dizygotic twins but unsuccess- ful in all six cases of monozygotic twins. Among the dizygotic twins, two mares lost the pregnancy after discharge from the clinic, seven mares delivered a healthy foal of normal size.
338 | © 2024 EVJ Ltd.
HOOF LANDING CHARACTERISTICS In
study, Jenny Hagen and co- workers in Germany and the Netherlands investigated the effects of different hoof manipulations
this
on landing duration (LandD), location (IC loc ) and angle of initial contact (IC angle ) in the front feet of horses, using a novel, hoof- mounted, inertial measurement unit sensor system (IMU) .
Ten sound, crossbred horses were fitted with an IMU sensor at
the dorsal hoof wall and examined barefoot and after trimming. The application of 120 g lateral weights and 5° medial side wedges, as well as steel, aluminium, egg bar and lateral extension shoes, were also tested. The use of steel shoes increased LandD compared with bare-
foot and enhanced the individual IC loc in trot. The application of rolled- toe shoes caused a longer LandD than the use of plain shoes.
None of the other modifications significantly influenced the timing or spatial variables of hoof landing. Trimming and shoeing have less impact on the landing pattern of horses than assumed in practice. Nevertheless, the use of steel shoes changes sliding properties of the hooves on firm ground and increases weight causing a longer LandD and reinforcement of the individual IC loc .
PARANASAL SINUS TREPHINATION
This study by Teresa Hopfgartner and co- workers in the USA critically evaluated the benefit of preoperative computed tomography (CT) versus radiography and sinoscopy on complications and outcome in horses un- dergoing sinus trephination . The medical records of 229 equids presented for sinusitis treated
via trephination that had CT, radiography and/or sinoscopy at time of surgery were reviewed. Outcome and complications were eval- uated for six different pre- and intraoperative imaging modalities. The six groups did not differ in demographics or disease cate-
gory, although equids with less weight and shorter disease duration were more likely to have radiography and sinoscopy- based surgical planning. Short- term postoperative complications occurred in 30.1% and were higher in groups using preoperative CT imaging, with hae- morrhage being the most common surgical complication. Following initial trephination surgery, 57.0% (127/223) of cases were resolved and there was no difference between the imaging groups. Final res- olution after follow- up medical or surgical treatment increased to 94.6% (211/223) with no differences between the imaging groups
aaep.org/wiley-redirect Equine Vet Educ. 2024;36:338–339.
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