Pharmacoepidemiological study of foreign substances identified in post race urine samples associated a mortality at la rinconada racetrack, caracas venezuela, 2008-2012 a preliminary report

Resumo

We report a pharmacoepidemiological study on foreign substance identifications at La Rinconada racetrack, Caracas Venezuela from 2008 to 2012. During this period 59904 horses started at La Rinconada in 4992 races of average field size 12 starters per race.  At “La Rinconada” all winners and other randomly selected horses are tested yielding a total of 12.644 samples tested over the four year period of this review. Of these samples 126 were reported positive for at least one substance considered reportable under the rules of racing in Venezuela. No ARCI class 1 and two substances were identified in these samples. The most frequently identified substances were furosemide, 31 identifications, followers by no steroidal anti- inflammatory agents, 25 in total, and including phenylbutazone, dipyrone and Flunixin meglumine.  Corticosteroids identified include dexamethasone and triamcinolone, for a total of 43 identifications. There were 5 bronchodilator identifications reported including clenbuterol and aminophylline. One identification of methocarbamol was reported, somewhat unusually, numerous identifications of pangamic acid, the supposed vitamin b-15. Review of these substances show that all of these substances are considered or have been classified as therapeutic medications and that no ARCI class 1 or 2 substances with a high potential to enhance performance have been reported during these 4 years of racing at “La Rinconada”.