Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Risk factors for complications in dogs after red blood cell
By Holowaychuk, Marie K et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2014·Department of Clinical Studies, Canada·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Risk factors for transfusion-associated complications and nonsurvival in dogs receiving packed red blood cell transfusions: 211 cases (2008-2011).
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A study looked at 211 dogs that received packed red blood cell transfusions to find out what factors might lead to complications or even death after the procedure. It was found that giving larger amounts of other blood products and having a higher pretransfusion packed cell volume (PCV) were linked to a higher risk of serious issues and nonsurvival. The age of the blood units didn't seem to affect the outcomes. The researchers suggest that careful management of transfusions could help improve safety and survival rates for dogs needing blood transfusions.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the number, volume, or age of transfused packed RBC units; volume of other blood products; or pretransfusion PCV was a risk factor for transfusion-associated complications or nonsurvival in dogs. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 211 client-owned dogs receiving stored packed RBC transfusions. PROCEDURES: Information collected or calculated from the medical record of each dog included the total number, volume, and dose of packed RBC units; mean age of packed RBC units; number of packed RBC units > 14 days old; age of oldest packed RBC unit; volume and dose of other blood products used; pretransfusion PCV; acute patient physiologic and laboratory evaluation score; transfusion-associated complications; and outcome. RESULTS: The dose (mL/kg) of other blood products transfused was a risk factor for transfusion-associated complications (OR, 1.03; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01 to 1.05). The pretransfusion PCV (OR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.06 to 1.21) and dose of packed RBCs administered (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.07) were risk factors for nonsurvival. Age of transfused packed RBC units was not identified as a risk factor for transfusion-associated complications or nonsurvival, but the study was statistically underpowered to detect this finding. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Administration of larger doses of other non-packed RBC blood products was a risk factor for transfusion-associated complications, and a higher pretransfusion PCV and larger dose of packed RBCs administered were risk factors for nonsurvival. Prospective randomized studies are needed to determine whether conservative transfusion strategies will reduce transfusion-associated complications and improve outcome in dogs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24479457/