Incidence of acute lung injury in dogs receiving transfusions.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To document the existence and incidence of acute lung injury (ie, veterinary acute lung injury [VetALI] per the 2007 consensus definition) in a population of client-owned dogs receiving transfusions for various clinical reasons. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. ANIMALS: 54 client-owned dogs. PROCEDURES: Arterial blood gas analysis was performed for dogs receiving a transfusion (blood and plasma products) at 0 to 12 hours before and 24 to 48 hours after transfusion; dogs also underwent thoracic radiography 0 to 24 hours before and 24 to 48 hours after transfusion. The ratio of PaO2 to fraction of inspired oxygen (FIO2) was calculated. Dogs with posttransfusion radiographic signs of pulmonary infiltrates, a PaO2:FIO2 ratio < 300, or clinical signs of respiratory compromise were suspected of having VetALI and underwent echocardiography to exclude left-sided heart failure. The incidence of VetALI was calculated, and &#x3c7;(2) tests were used to compare the incidence in study dogs with the historical reported incidence of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in ill dogs (not receiving transfusions) and transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) in humans. RESULTS: The incidence of VetALI (2/54 [3.7%]; 95% confidence interval, 0% to 8.73%) in study dogs was significantly less than the reported incidence of TRALI in humans (25%) and not significantly different from the reported incidence of ARDS in ill dogs (10%). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: VetALI occurred in dogs that received transfusions at a frequency similar to that previously reported for ARDS in ill dogs that did not receive transfusions.