Blood lactate levels in saphenous vs cephalic veins in dogs with GDV

Abstract

Gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV) is a life-threatening condition, suspected to result in differential tissue perfusion in different regions of the body. Lactate is a biomarker of hypoperfusion that correlates with treatment outcomes in dogs with GDV. This prospective observational study aimed to compare lactate between saphenous and cephalic venous samples in 45 client-owned dogs with GDV, to evaluate their association with treatment outcomes (survival, surgical complications, and duration of hospitalization) and to assess the correlation between lactate and other biochemical parameters. Both saphenous and cephalic lactate concentrations were significantly higher in non-survivors (= 0.01). No statistical difference was found between lactate concentrations in saphenouscephalic venous samples (= 0.480). For each dog, the difference in lactate between saphenous and cephalic veins was calculated (Δlactate = saphenous - cephalic); it was not associated with survival (= 0.198), surgical complications (= 0.346), or duration of hospitalization (= 0.803). Higher lactate and lower glucose (saphenous vein) were associated with lower PCV and higher creatinine, on presentation. The results of this study failed to show an association between Δlactate concentrations and treatment outcomes in dogs with GDV; however, in agreement with previous studies, lower lactate was associated with a decreased mortality rate.