Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
How does blood transfusion affect heart size in anemic cats and dogs?
By Donaldson, Rebekah E et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2021·Department of Clinical Science and Services, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Left heart dimensions in anemic cats and dogs before and after blood transfusion.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 20 anemic dogs and 20 anemic cats received blood transfusions to treat their low red blood cell counts. After the transfusions, both species showed an increase in their packed cell volume, indicating improved red blood cell levels. The dogs had a decrease in heart rate, while the cats showed changes in heart function measurements. Importantly, the risk of volume overload (a condition where the heart is overworked due to too much fluid) did not significantly change before or after the transfusions, suggesting that these pets tolerated the procedure well.
People also search for: dog anemia treatment · cat blood transfusion side effects · signs of volume overload in pets
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Whether anemic cats and dogs with increased left heart dimensions are at higher risk of transfusion-associated circulatory overload, and the effect of blood transfusion on left heart dimensions in naturally occurring anemia is unknown. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of blood transfusion on left heart dimensions in clinically relevant anemia. ANIMALS: Twenty dogs and 20 cats presenting to a university veterinary teaching hospital. METHODS: In this prospective observational study, anemic dogs and cats requiring blood transfusion were included. Packed cell volume (PCV), total solids, and echocardiography were performed before and within 24 hours of blood transfusion. Signalment, bodyweight, disease process, transfusion duration and volume, and prior treatments were recorded. Nonparametric statistics were reported as median [range]. Post hoc Bonferroni correction set significance at P < .006. RESULTS: After transfusion, PCV increased in cats (12% [6-16] to 18% [10-33], P = .001) and dogs (14% [7-24] to 25% [9-37], P = .001), heart rate decreased in dogs (104 bpm [86-166] to 87 bpm [56-138], P < .001), and fractional shortening decreased in cats (57.1% [36.0-84.7] to 41.0% [28.1-69.6], P = .002) and dogs (33.79% [19.33-62.79] to 31.89% [19.06-51.47], P = .006). Left ventricular internal diameter in systole increased in cats (6.5 mm [2.7-9.8] to 7.9 mm [5.3-11.1], P = .001). Normalized left ventricular internal diameter in diastole (1.48 [1.25-1.79] to 1.57 [1.33-2.00], P = .001) and systole (0.87 [0.58-1.19] to 1.00 [0.74-1.36], P = .001) increased in dogs. Incidence of volume overload did not differ before (14/20 cats, 70%; 9/20 dogs, 45%) or after (12/20 cats, 60%; 11/20 dogs, 55%) transfusion (P = .64). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Blood transfusion is well tolerated when signs of volume overload are present before transfusion.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33284468/