2015 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

Our study suggests that, in canine packed RBCs, phosphatidylserine expression is not significantly affected by leukoreduction, storage, or warming for transfusion. Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is a rare but potentially fatal complication of splenectomy in dogs. The mechanism behind postoperative PVT development is unclear but may include alterations of portal blood flow following surgery, acquired hypercoagulability and endothelial dysfunction. The aim of the study was to evaluate hemostatic biomarkers in hemodynamically stable (heart rate <130 beats/minute, blood lactate < 2.5 mMol/L) and non-anemic (hematocrit >35%) dogs prior to splenectomy for splenic masses. We hypothesized that these dogs would have no pre-operative coagulation derangements present to risk postoperative thrombosis. Pre-operatively abdominal ultrasonography was performed and blood was collected for platelet enumeration, prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), kaolin-activated thromboelastography (TEG), fibrinogen, von Willebrand factor activity (vWF:Ag), antithrombin and thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT). Histopathological diagnosis and 30-day survival were recorded. None of the 15 enrolled dogs had pre-operative sonographic evidence of PVT. Three of fifteen dogs were thrombocytopenic, three had thrombocytosis, three were hyperfibrinogenemic, one had low vWF:Ag, three had mild prolongations of PT and none had abnormal aPTT. Based on the TEG G value, 13/15 dogs were hypercoagulable (meanAESD 13.5 AE 5.4kd/s). Antithrombin deficiency was identified in 9/15 dogs (mean AE sd 68.7 AE 22.7%) with 5/9 having concurrently elevated TAT suggesting active thrombin generation. There was no significant difference in hemostatic biomarkers or outcome for the 8/15 dogs with malignancy compared to those with benign lesions (p > 0.05). No dogs developed PVT and all achieved 30-day survival. Pre-operative hypercoagulability was recognized commonly and may in part contribute to the risk of postoperative PVT in dogs after splenectomy.