Hemostatic abnormalities in nephrotic syndrome

Coagulation Abnormalities in Dogs with Parvoviral Enteritis

Hemostatic alterations have been documented in dogs with canine parvoviral enteritis. This study's aims were to measure the standard coagulation parameters, and to assess the relationship between them and the clinical variables in dogs with canine parvoviral enteritis. Nine client-owned dogs with a canine parvoviral infection were included in a prospective, observational clinical study. Clinical score and coagulation status were assessed at admission. All nine dogs showed alterations of three or more standard coagulation variables. A correlation analysis evidenced a significantly high positive correlation between the activated partial thromboplastin time and clinical score. The present study concurs that dogs with canine parvoviral enteritis have coagulation disorders that are detectable by measuring the standard coagulation parameters.

Nephrotic syndrome in dogs: clinical features and evidence-based treatment considerations

Nephrotic syndrome (NS), defined as the concurrent presence of hypoalbuminemia, proteinuria, hyperlipidemia, and fluid accumulation in interstitial spaces and/or body cavities, is a rare complication of glomerular disease in dogs, cats, and people. Affected animals frequently have markedly abnormal urine protein:creatinine ratios because of urinary loss of large amounts of protein; however, hypoalbuminemia-associated decreased plasma oncotic pressure is insufficient to explain fluid extravasation in most laboratory models, and, instead, either aberrant renal tubule retention of sodium with resultant increase in hydrostatic pressure or a systemic increase in vascular permeability may be the primary defects responsible for development of NS. Factors associated with NS in people (including "nephrotic-range" serum albumin concentration and urine protein concentration, and particular glomerular disease subtypes) have been assumed previously to also be important in dogs, although descriptions were limited to those patients included in case series of glomerular disease, and sporadic case reports. However, case-control comparison of larger cohorts of dogs with nephrotic versus nonnephrotic glomerular disease more recently suggests that predisposing factors and concurrent clinicopathologic abnormalities differ from those typically encountered in people with nephrotic syndrome, although case progression and negative effect on patient outcome are similar. This article briefly reviews major current theories and supporting evidence on the pathogenesis of NS, followed by an overview on the clinical features of this syndrome in dogs with glomerular disease. The authors also offer evidence-based and experience-based treatment recommendations that are based on minimizing the suspected dysregulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone axis in affected dogs.

Plasma antithrombin activity as a diagnostic and prognostic indicator in dogs: a retrospective study of 149 dogs

BACKGROUND

Antithrombin (AT) is the major inhibitor of coagulation. In people, hypoantithrombinemia is associated with hypercoagulability, thrombosis, and poor prognosis. Veterinary studies, however, have not demonstrated similar prognostic significance. Thus, AT activity (ATA) in dogs currently is interpreted based on human medicine guidelines.

HYPOTHESIS

ATA can serve as a prognostic marker in dogs, as has been shown in people.

OBJECTIVES

(1) To describe the clinical and clinicopathologic findings, diagnoses, and outcome of dogs with decreased versus normal ATA, (2) to identify diseases and mechanisms associated with hypoantithrombinemia, and (3) to assess ATA as a prognostic indicator.

ANIMALS AND METHODS

Retrospective study of 149 dogs with ATA measurement during their disease course.

RESULTS

Hypoantithrombinemic dogs had a higher proportion of leukocytosis, hemostatic abnormalities, hypoalbuminemia, and hyperbilirubinemia versus dogs with normal ATA. Hypoantithrombinemia commonly was present in immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA), pancreatitis, hepatopathy, and neoplasia. It was associated with higher risk of mortality in the entire study population and for specific diseases (eg, IMHA, neoplasia). The odds ratio for mortality significantly and progressively increased when ATA was <60 and <30% (9.9, 14.7, respectively). A receiver operating characteristics analysis of ATA as a predictor of mortality showed an area under the curve of 0.7, and an optimal cutoff point of 60% yielded sensitivity and specificity of 58 and 85%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE

In dogs, ATA <60% indicates increased mortality risk, similarly to human patients, but ATA has limited value as a single discriminating factor in the outcome.

Thromboembolic Therapies in Dogs and Cats: An Evidence-Based Approach

In veterinary medicine, we are forced to make use of less than ideal "evidence," such as extrapolation from experimental studies in dogs and cats without naturally occurring diseases and from clinical trials in other species (particularly human clinical trials), as well as limited information gained from veterinary clinical experience, small clinical trials, case studies, and anecdotal reports. In this article, specific treatment recommendations are made for each of the common thromboembolic conditions seen in dogs and cats. These recommendations are made with the important caveat that, to date, such suggested therapeutic approaches are based on limited evidence.

Relationship of serum interleukin-7 concentration and the coagulation state in children with nephrotic syndrome

BACKGROUND

Enhanced platelet reactivity may play a significant role in the hypercoagulable state of nephrotic syndrome (NS). Thrombocytosis with platelet aggregation cause the release of some cytokines, among them interleukin-7 (IL-7). The aim of the study was to evaluate serum IL-7 levels in children with the symptoms of NS and to determine a correlation between its concentration and platelet count, other hemostatic factors, and NS intensity.

METHODS

The study was performed in two groups. I--the examined group of 26 children with NS (12 boys, 14 girls) aged 6.8 +/- 2.1 years, subjected to two examinations: A--before treatment, B--during treatment with prednisone (60 mg/kg 24 h after albuminuria regression); and II--the control group (C) of 20 healthy children. Serum IL-7 level was assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method using a R & D Quantikine set.

RESULTS

In group I, IL-7 level in examination A (33.33 +/- 33.24 pg/mL) was higher than in the control subjects (P < 0.01). In examination B, IL-7 concentration was reduced to the level of 10.86 +/- 5.22 pg/mL and did not differ from the controls (P > 0.05). A positive correlation was observed between IL-7 and platelet count and serum fibrinogen level. A negative correlation was noted with antithrombin III concentration. No correlation was found with serum levels of albumin and cholesterol or urine protein.

CONCLUSION

In children with NS, serum IL-7 level increases proportionally to the elevated platelet count and other hemostatic components, but shows no correlation with serum albumin or urine protein.

Platelet-derived growth factor and platelet profiles in childhood nephrotic syndrome

The aim of the study was to investigate (1) whether there are any changes in release of platelet-derived growth factor AA (PDGF AA) in children with nephrotic syndrome without clinical thromboembolic symptoms 2; (2) whether serum PDGF AA correlates with the platelet count (PLT) and platelet indices; (3) whether prednisone therapy affects the serum PDGF AA and the PLT; (4) whether PDGF AA is a useful predictor of disease activity. The study involved two groups of children: 33 with nephrotic syndrome (I) who were evaluated twice (A during relapse and B after 2 weeks of prednisone treatment) and 34 healthy children (II). The serum concentration of PDGF was measured by ELISA. In group I/A the PLT (P<0.01) and platelet distribution width (P<0.05) were elevated, the mean platelet volume (MPV) (P<0.05) was decreased and the plateletcrit (P>0.05) was normal. In group I/B, the PLT was decreased and MPV increased. The concentration of PDGF AA was still increased and correlated negatively with the albumin concentration. Hence in children with nephrotic syndrome an increase in PLT, a decrease in MPV, and a higher concentration of PDGF were observed. Treatment of nephrotic syndrome with prednisone for 2 weeks is not sufficient to normalize platelet parameters. Further studies are necessary to confirm the role of PDGF AA in the hypercoagulation state in children with nephrotic syndrome.

Abnormal bleeding

Animals with disorders of hemostasis are often presented as emergency patients and, as such, offer a challenge to the attending clinician. This article reviews the basic physiology of hemostasis and laboratory tests used for diagnosis. Guidelines for the evaluation and treatment of patients with bleeding disorders are provided.