Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Plasma lactate changes predict survival in dogs with gastric
By Zacher, Laurie A et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2010·Department of Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Association between outcome and changes in plasma lactate concentration during presurgical treatment in dogs with gastric dilatation-volvulus: 64 cases (2002-2008).
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 5-year-old Great Dane was brought to the vet for severe bloating and signs of distress, diagnosed with gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), a life-threatening condition. The vet monitored the dog's plasma lactate levels before and after treatment, finding that lower lactate levels after initial care were linked to better survival chances. Dogs with a lactate level below 6.4 mmol/L had a 91% survival rate, while those with higher levels had much lower chances. The dog received aggressive treatment, and thanks to the timely intervention, it recovered well.
People also search for: dog bloating treatment · GDV in Great Danes · dog plasma lactate levels · gastric dilatation volvulus prognosis
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether changes in presurgical plasma lactate concentration (before and after initial fluid resuscitation and gastric decompression) were associated with short-term outcome for dogs with gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV). DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 64 dogs. PROCEDURES: Medical records were reviewed, and signalment, history, resuscitative treatments, serial presurgical lactate concentrations, surgical findings, and short-term outcome were obtained for dogs with confirmed GDV. RESULTS: 36 of 40 (90%) dogs with an initial lactate concentration <or= 9.0 mmol/L survived, compared with only 13 of 24 (54%) dogs with a high initial lactate (HIL) concentration (> 9.0 mmol/L). Within HIL dogs, there was no difference in mean +/- SD initial lactate concentration between survivors and nonsurvivors (10.6 +/- 2.3 mmol/L vs 11.2 +/- 2.3 mmol/L, respectively); however, there were significant differences in post-treatment lactate concentration, absolute change in lactate concentration, and percentage change in lactate concentration following resuscitative treatment. By use of optimal cutoff values within HIL dogs, survival rates for dogs with final lactate concentration > 6.4 mmol/L (23%), absolute change in lactate concentration <or= 4 mmol/L (10%), or percentage change in lactate concentration <or= 42.5% (15%) were significantly lower than survival rates for dogs with a final lactate concentration <or= 6.4 mmol/L (91%), absolute change in lactate concentration > 4 mmol/L (86%), or percentage change in lactate concentration > 42.5% (100%). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Calculating changes in plasma lactate concentration following initial treatment in dogs with GDV may assist in determining prognosis and identifying patients that require more aggressive treatment.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20392189/