Higgs VA, Rudloff E, Kirby R, Linklater AKJ. Autologous blood transfusion in dogs with thoracic or abdominal hemorrhage: 25 cases (2007-2012).
J Vet Emerg Crit Care (San Antonio) 2015;
25:731-8. [PMID:
26193912 DOI:
10.1111/vec.12338]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2013] [Accepted: 05/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To describe the use and outcome following autologous blood transfusion (ABT) in dogs.
DESIGN
Retrospective study (January 2007-July 2012).
SETTING
Private veterinary referral center.
ANIMALS
Twenty-five dogs that underwent ABT secondary to thoracic or abdominal hemorrhage.
INTERVENTIONS
None.
MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS
The hospital transaction database was searched using the keyword "autotransfusion" from January 2007 to July 2012. Data collected included signalment, body weight, etiology of hemorrhage, source and method of collection, volumes and method of ABT administration, use of anticoagulant, reported complications, and outcome. Twenty-five dogs were included for a total of 27 ABTs. Causes of hemorrhage included vascular trauma (14/25 dogs, 56%), ruptured tumor (8/25, 32%), and coagulopathy attributed to brodifacoum toxicosis (3/25, 12%). Autologous blood was collected from the abdominal (19/25, 76%), thoracic (5/25, 20%), or abdominal and thoracic cavities (1/25, 4%). Anticoagulant was added to the ABT blood in 13 of 25 (52%) cases. A median ABT volume of 29.3 mL/kg (range 2.9-406.9 mL/kg) was infused through either a 210 μm blood administration filter (21/27, 78%) or an 18 μm hemonate filter (6/27, 22%). Reported complications that may have been associated with ABT included hypocalcemia (4/17, 24%), hemolyzed serum (5/19, 26%), and prolonged coagulation times (4/5, 80%). These complications were considered of minimal clinical significance. Additional blood products were administered in 17 of 25 (68%) dogs. Seventeen (68%) dogs survived to discharge. Cause of death in the remaining cases was euthanasia or cardiac arrest secondary to uncontrollable hemorrhage.
CONCLUSIONS
ABT is an adjunct to volume replacement in dogs with thoracic or abdominal hemorrhage secondary to vascular trauma, ruptured tumor, or anticoagulant rodenticide toxicosis. ABT may be used as bridge to definitive hemorrhage control, particularly when other blood products are not available or affordable. Complications may include hypocalcemia, prolonged coagulation times, and hemolysis.
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