Spectral analysis of respiratory noise in horses with upper airway disorders

• Published in: Equine veterinary journal 2003-05, Vol.35 (3), p.264-268
• Main Authors: FRANKLIN, S. H., USMAR, S G., LANE, J. G., SHUTTLEWORTH, J., BURN, J. F.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Airway Obstruction - diagnosis; Airway Obstruction - physiopathology; Airway Obstruction - veterinary; Animals; Diagnosis, Differential; Exercise Test - veterinary; horse; Horse Diseases - diagnosis; Horse Diseases - physiopathology; Horses; Male; Palate, Soft - pathology; Physical Conditioning, Animal - physiology; respiratory noise; Respiratory Sounds - diagnosis; Respiratory Sounds - physiology; Respiratory Sounds - physiopathology; Respiratory Sounds - veterinary; Respiratory Tract Diseases - diagnosis; Respiratory Tract Diseases - physiopathology; Respiratory Tract Diseases - veterinary; spectral analysis; Spectrum Analysis - methods; Spectrum Analysis - veterinary; Tape Recording; upper airway disorders
• ISSN: 0425-1644; 2042-3306
• DOI: 10.2746/042516403776148228

Summary Reasons for performing study: It has long been recognised that the production of abnormal respiratory sounds by horses during exercise is frequently associated with upper airway obstructions. Respiratory acoustic measurements have shown promise in investigation of upper airway disorders in man and, more recently, in horses with experimentally‐induced obstructions. Objectives: To evaluate sounds from exercising horses with naturally occurring dynamic obstructions of the upper respiratory tract and to compare these with those from normal horses in order to determine whether different obstructions produce characteristic spectral patterns. Methods: The audio signal, airflow and videoendoscopic images were recorded simultaneously during an incremental exercise test on a high‐speed treadmill. Results: Spectral analysis of the audio signal showed marked differences between control and clinically afflicted horses. Dorsal displacement of the soft palate was characterised by a narrow low frequency (20–80 Hz) peak during expiration. Horses with dynamic laryngeal collapse produced inspiratory sounds characterised by a broad band high frequency spectral component in the range 1.1–2.7 kHz. Conclusions and potential relevance: Spectral analysis of respiratory sounds in horses has potential as a diagnostic technique for field use especially when facilities for highspeed treadmill assessment are not practicable.