Retrospective evaluation of systemic hypertension in dogs with nonassociative (primary) immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (December 2016 to April 2019): 26 cases.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To report the prevalence of arterial hypertension in a population of dogs with nonassociative immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) on presentation and during hospitalization. To determine the relationships of systolic blood pressure (SBP) with mortality and a prognostic indicator, the canine hemolytic anemia objective score. DESIGN: Retrospective observational study (December 2016 to April 2019). SETTING: University teaching hospital. ANIMALS: Twenty-six clinical dogs presenting to the ICU with nonassociative (primary) IMHA and a control group of 23 clinical dogs with idiopathic epilepsy hospitalized in the ICU for seizure treatment or monitoring. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Hypertension was defined as SBP&#xa0;&#x2265;&#xa0;160&#xa0;mm Hg and severe hypertension as SBP&#xa0;&#x2265;&#xa0;180&#xa0;mm Hg. Mean SBP was significantly increased in IMHA dogs (161&#xa0;mm Hg, SD&#xa0;=&#xa0;21) compared to ICU control dogs (138&#xa0;mm Hg, SD&#xa0;=&#xa0;14; P&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.005). Hypertension was present in 13 of 26 (50.0%) dogs across the period of hospitalization and was severe in three of 26 (11.5%). During at least 1 day of hospitalization, 18 of 26 (69.2%) dogs were hypertensive and eight of 26 (34.6%) were severely hypertensive. Hypertension was not associated with short-term mortality or canine hemolytic anemia objective score. CONCLUSIONS: In this retrospective study, hypertension was more prevalent in dogs with nonassociative IMHA than a control population of ICU-hospitalized dogs. An association between autoimmune conditions and hypertension has been previously reported in people but not within a canine population. Hypertension in dogs may have an inflammatory or autoimmune etiology. SBP should be monitored closely in canine IMHA, in case antihypertensive treatment is required.