Colic Pathophysiology in Horses

Pathophysiology

It is important to understand the pathophysiology of gastrointestinal obstructions in order to clinically assess the patient and formulate a treatment plan. Abnormalities of the equine gastrointestinal tract which prevent the progression of intestinal contents, constitutes an obstruction. Obstructions can be physical or functional and they can be broadly divided into simple obstructions, strangulating obstructions, and non-strangulating infarctions.

Simple Obstruction

This is characterised by a physical obstruction of the intestine with no initial vascular compromise to the affected bowel. A simple obstruction can be due to impacted food material, stricture formation, or foreign bodies. The primary pathophysiological abnormality caused by this obstruction is related to the trapping of fluid within the intestine, oral to the obstruction. This is due to the large amount of fluid produced in the upper gastro-intestinal tract (around 125L daily), and the fact that this fluid cannot reach the absorptive surfaces of the large intestine downstream from the obstruction. This fluid becomes sequestrated or can be lost by nasogastric reflux. The first problem with this degree of fluid loss from circulation is one of decreased plasma volume, leading to a reduced cardiac output, and acid-base disturbances.

There also occur serious effects on the intestine itself, which becomes distended due to the trapped fluid, and by gas production from bacteria. It is this distension, and subsequent activation of stretch receptors within the intestinal wall, that leads to the associated pain. With progressive distension of the intestinal wall, there is occlusion of blood vessels, firstly veins, then arteries. The difference in time to onset of occlusion is due to the relatively more rigid walls of arteries compared with veins. This impairment of blood supply leads firstly to hyperaemia and congestion, and ultimately to ischaemic necrosis and cellular death. The poor blood supply also has effects on the vascular endothelium, leading to an increased permeability. This results initially in leakage of plasma, and eventually blood into the intestinal lumen. In the opposite fashion, gram-negative bacteria and endotoxins can enter the bloodstream, leading to further systemic effects.

Strangulating Infarction

Strangulating infarctions have all the same pathological features as a simple obstruction, but the bloody supply is immediately affected. Both arteries and veins may be effected immediately, or progressively as in simple obstruction. Common causes of strangulating obstruction are pedunculated lipomas, and displacement of intestine through a hole, such as a hernia, a mesenteric rent, or the epiploic foramen.

Non-strangulating Infarction

In a non-strangulating infarction, blood supply to a section of intestine is occluded, without any obstruction to ingesta present within the intestinal lumen. The most common cause is infection with Strongylus vulgaris larvae, which develop within the (primarily cranial) mesenteric artery.