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  • Author or Editor: Alex M. Lynch x
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Abstract

Objective—To describe transfusion practices for treatment of dogs undergoing splenectomy for splenic masses.

Design—Retrospective case series.

Animals—542 client-owned dogs.

Procedures—Medical records of dogs that underwent splenectomy for splenic masses at 2 referral institutions were reviewed. Variables of interest were compared between dogs that did and did not undergo transfusion. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to assess associations of transfusion with death during hospitalization and with 30- and 180-day survival rates.

Results—Transfusions were administered to 240 of 542 (44%) dogs; packed RBCs were the most frequently administered blood product. On admission, dogs that subsequently received transfusions had higher mean illness severity score, heart rate, respiratory rate, blood lactate concentration, and prothrombin time, with lower mean PCV, platelet count, serum total solids and albumin concentrations, and base deficit than dogs that did not receive transfusions. Hemoperitoneum and malignancy, especially hemangiosarcoma, were more common in the transfusion group. Overall, 500 of 542 (92%) dogs survived to discharge. Dogs that received transfusions had higher odds of death or euthanasia while hospitalized and lower odds of surviving to 30 or 180 days after hospital discharge than dogs that did not.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Evidence of shock, anemia, and hypocoagulability were apparent triggers for the decision to perform blood transfusion in dogs undergoing splenectomy for splenic masses and were likely attributable to hemoperitoneum and related hypovolemia. Dogs undergoing transfusion more commonly had malignant disease and had greater odds of poor long-term outcome, compared with dogs that did not undergo transfusion.

Full access
in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association

Abstract

Objective—To describe transfusion practices for treatment of dogs hospitalized because of traumatic injuries.

Design—Retrospective case series.

Animals—125 client-owned dogs.

Procedures—Medical records of dogs that sustained trauma and were hospitalized for ≥ 24 hours after emergency stabilization were reviewed. Admission characteristics and transfusion-specific data were assessed. Receiver operating characteristic curves were plotted to evaluate diagnostic utility of PCV and serum total solids concentration as predictors of transfusion in the study population.

Results—45 of 125 (36%) dogs received transfusions. Packed RBCs were the most commonly administered blood product (42/45 [93%]). Common reasons for transfusion included perioperative hemodynamic support and treatment of shock or worsening anemia. Dogs that underwent transfusion had higher mean heart rate, blood lactate concentration, and animal trauma triage scores, with lower mean PCV, serum total solids concentration, and rectal temperature at admission than dogs that did not undergo transfusion. Total solids concentration and PCV at admission were specific but insensitive predictors of subsequent transfusion. Most (109/125 [87%]) dogs survived to hospital discharge. Significantly fewer dogs that had transfusions survived, compared with dogs that did not have transfusions. Seven of 10 dogs that received massive transfusions survived to discharge.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Apparent clinical triggers for the decision to perform blood transfusion in dogs hospitalized following traumatic injury included evidence of shock or worsening anemia on admission and requirement for perioperative hemodynamic optimization. Although dogs that received transfusions had a lower survival rate than dogs that did not, this was likely attributable to greater severity of injuries in the transfusion group.

Full access
in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association