Measuring blood markers after traumatic injury in dogs over time

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the feasibility of measuring plasma concentrations of 4 endothelial glycocalyx components and their correlation to patient and treatment characteristics in canine trauma patients. METHODS: This was an observational study of dogs presenting to a university-based emergency department between August 2021 and March 2022 within 2 hours of traumatic injury and healthy, age-matched controls. We obtained EDTA plasma at arrival and 3, 6, and 24 hours later. Degree of injury was classified based on Animal Trauma Triage score (mild, 0 to 3; moderate, 4 to 6; and severe, ≥ 7). Data collected included signalment, modified Glasgow Coma Scale score, interventions, diagnostic results, and patient outcomes. Plasma concentrations of syndecan-1, hyaluronan, heparan sulfate, and vascular endothelial-cadherin (cadherin-5) were determined via ELISA. RESULTS: 19 canine trauma patients and 16 age-matched controls were enrolled. Hyaluronan was significantly lower at arrival versus 24 hours later and demonstrated a significant increase over all time points. There was a significant negative correlation between heparan sulfate and lactate. Vascular endothelial cadherin was significantly higher in penetrating trauma than blunt trauma at arrival and 6 hours later. CONCLUSIONS: Measurement of the 4 markers of endothelial glycocalyx damage in canine trauma patients was generally feasible, and further study may determine clinical application. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This was the first evaluation of these glycocalyx biomarkers in canine trauma patients. Additional studies evaluating these and other glycocalyx biomarkers longitudinally are needed to determine the effect of injury and fluid resuscitation on the glycocalyx and outcome in canine trauma patients.