Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Incidence and risk factors for neurological signs after attenuation of single congenital portosystemic shunts in 253 dogs.
- Journal:
- Veterinary surgery : VS
- Year:
- 2018
- Authors:
- Strickland, Rhiannon et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Clinical Science and Services · United Kingdom
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
In a study of 253 dogs with a specific type of liver condition called congenital portosystemic shunts (CPSS), researchers looked at the risk of developing neurological signs or seizures after surgery to correct the issue. They found that about 11% of the dogs showed these neurological signs after surgery, and some of them did not survive the hospital stay. Factors that increased the risk of these problems included having liver-related brain issues before surgery and being older. Interestingly, giving a medication called levetiracetam before surgery did not seem to help prevent these complications. Overall, the findings suggest that addressing any liver issues before surgery is important to reduce the chances of neurological problems afterward.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence, outcome, and risk factors for postattenuation neurological signs (PANS) and seizures after attenuation of single congenital portosystemic shunts (CPSS) in dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SAMPLE POPULATION: Dogs (N = 253) with single CPSS. METHODS: Medical records of dogs treated by surgical attenuation of a single CPSS between February 2000 and July 2015 were reviewed for signalment and preoperative and postoperative clinical outcomes, including the occurrence of PANS. Univariable and multivariable binary logistic regression was used to assess risk factors for PANS and for seizures. RESULTS: Twenty-eight (11.1%) dogs developed PANS, including 12 (4.7%) dogs with seizures. Five (17.9%) dogs with PANS did not survive to discharge. Risk factors for PANS included the presence of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) immediately preoperatively (P = .038, odds ratio [OR] 2.704, CI 1.057-6.922) and increasing age (P < .001, OR 1.476, CI 1.223-1.780). Risk factors for seizures included the presence of HE immediately preoperatively (P = .048, OR 3.538, CI 1.013-12.363) and increasing age (P = .009, OR 1.364, CI 1.082-1.720). No association was found between the location of portosystemic shunts (extrahepatic and intrahepatic) and post-operative PANS (P = .532) or seizures (P = .620). Similarly, preemptive administration of levetiracetam did not influence the risk of PANS (P = .991) or seizures (P = .752). CONCLUSION: Preoperative HE and older age in dogs with a CPSS increased the odds of developing PANS and seizures in our population. Preemptive administration of levetiracetam did not protect dogs against the development of PANS or seizures. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Surgical attenuation of a single CPSS should not be excessively delayed, and surgeons should stabilize the clinical signs of HE before surgery to prevent postoperative PANS and seizures.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30084495/