Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Treating anemia in dogs with pneumonia using fresh blood transfusions
By Suffredini, Dante A et al.·Published in Transfusion·2017·Critical Care Medicine Department·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Parenteral irons versus transfused red blood cells for treatment of anemia during canine experimental bacterial pneumonia.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of beagles with pneumonia caused by Staphylococcus aureus developed anemia and were treated with either fresh red blood cell (RBC) transfusions or intravenous (IV) iron. The study found that while both IV iron treatments increased free iron levels and worsened the dogs' condition, the fresh RBC transfusions were associated with better survival rates. Specifically, only 8% of dogs treated with one type of IV iron survived, compared to 56% of those receiving fresh RBCs. This suggests that using fresh RBCs is a safer option for treating anemia in dogs with infections like pneumonia.
People also search for: dog pneumonia treatment · anemia in dogs · fresh blood transfusion for dogs · IV iron side effects in dogs
Abstract
BACKGROUND: No studies have been performed comparing intravenous (IV) iron with transfused red blood cells (RBCs) for treating anemia during infection. In a previous report, transfused older RBCs increased free iron release and mortality in infected animals when compared to fresher cells. We hypothesized that treating anemia during infection with transfused fresh RBCs, with minimal free iron release, would prove superior to IV iron therapy. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Purpose-bred beagles (n = 42) with experimental Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia rendered anemic were randomized to be transfused RBCs stored for 7 days or one of two IV iron preparations (7 mg/kg), iron sucrose, a widely used preparation, or ferumoxytol, a newer formulation that blunts circulating iron levels. RESULTS: Both irons increased the alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient at 24 to 48 hours (p = 0.02-0.001), worsened shock at 16 hours (p = 0.02-0.003, respectively), and reduced survival (transfusion 56%; iron sucrose 8%, p = 0.01; ferumoxytol 9%, p = 0.04). Compared to fresh RBC transfusion, plasma iron measured by non-transferrin-bound iron levels increased with iron sucrose at 7, 10, 13, 16, 24, and 48 hours (p = 0.04 to p < 0.0001) and ferumoxytol at 7, 24, and 48 hours (p = 0.04 to p = 0.004). No significant differences in cardiac filling pressures or performance, hemoglobin (Hb), or cell-free Hb were observed. CONCLUSIONS: During canine experimental bacterial pneumonia, treatment of mild anemia with IV iron significantly increased free iron levels, shock, lung injury, and mortality compared to transfusion of fresh RBCs. This was true for iron preparations that do or do not blunt circulating free iron level elevations. These findings suggest that treatment of anemia with IV iron during infection should be undertaken with caution.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28656646/