Clinicopathologic evidence of disseminated intravascular coagulation in horses with acute colitis

Brett A. Dolente Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, PA 19348.

Search for other papers by Brett A. Dolente in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
 VMD
,
Pamela A. Wilkins Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, PA 19348.

Search for other papers by Pamela A. Wilkins in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
 DVM, PhD, DACVIM
, and
Ray C. Boston Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, PA 19348.

Search for other papers by Ray C. Boston in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
 PhD

Abstract

Objective—To detect subclinical disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) in horses with colitis and to determine any association between the diagnosis of subclinical DIC and outcome or occurrence of complications in horses with colitis.

Design—Prospective study.

Animals—37 horses admitted to a veterinary teaching hospital for treatment of acute colitis.

Procedure—Coagulation profiles were obtained on each horse 0, 24, and 48 hours after admission. Six tests were performed: platelet count, plasma fibrinogen concentration, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, antithrombin activity, and serum fibrin degradation products concentration.

Results—A clinicopathologic diagnosis of subclinical DIC was made if 3 of the 6 tests had abnormal results at any 1 sample period. No horse had clinical signs of DIC at the time of sampling. Twelve of 37 (32%) horses met the criteria for diagnosis of subclinical DIC within a 1-year period. Outcome was defined as survival or nonsurvival. Five of 12 horses with subclinical DIC and 2 of 25 horses without subclinical DIC did not survive. Crude odds ratio analysis revealed a horse with acute colitis was 8 times as likely to die or be euthanatized if a diagnosis of subclinical DIC was made.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Clinicopathologic evidence of DIC is common and is significantly associated with a poor outcome in horses with acute colitis. Treatment of subclinical DIC may influence outcome in horses with acute colitis. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 2002;220:1034–1038)

Abstract

Objective—To detect subclinical disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) in horses with colitis and to determine any association between the diagnosis of subclinical DIC and outcome or occurrence of complications in horses with colitis.

Design—Prospective study.

Animals—37 horses admitted to a veterinary teaching hospital for treatment of acute colitis.

Procedure—Coagulation profiles were obtained on each horse 0, 24, and 48 hours after admission. Six tests were performed: platelet count, plasma fibrinogen concentration, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, antithrombin activity, and serum fibrin degradation products concentration.

Results—A clinicopathologic diagnosis of subclinical DIC was made if 3 of the 6 tests had abnormal results at any 1 sample period. No horse had clinical signs of DIC at the time of sampling. Twelve of 37 (32%) horses met the criteria for diagnosis of subclinical DIC within a 1-year period. Outcome was defined as survival or nonsurvival. Five of 12 horses with subclinical DIC and 2 of 25 horses without subclinical DIC did not survive. Crude odds ratio analysis revealed a horse with acute colitis was 8 times as likely to die or be euthanatized if a diagnosis of subclinical DIC was made.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Clinicopathologic evidence of DIC is common and is significantly associated with a poor outcome in horses with acute colitis. Treatment of subclinical DIC may influence outcome in horses with acute colitis. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 2002;220:1034–1038)

All Time Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 228 0 0
Full Text Views 1105 836 43
PDF Downloads 629 213 17
Advertisement