Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Epsilon aminocaproic acid use in dogs with spontaneous hemoperitoneum
By Gazsi-Hull, Katrina et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary emergency and critical care (San Antonio, Tex. : 2001)·2025·Allegheny Veterinary Trauma & Specialty, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Use of Epsilon Aminocaproic Acid in Perioperative Stabilization of Canine Spontaneous Hemoperitoneum.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 18 dogs with spontaneous hemoperitoneum (bleeding in the abdomen) were treated with either a medication called epsilon aminocaproic acid (εACA) or standard care before surgery. The goal was to see if εACA could reduce the need for blood transfusions during surgery. However, the study found that there was no significant difference in the number of dogs needing transfusions or the amount of blood lost during surgery between the two groups. All dogs were monitored closely, and no side effects from εACA were reported.
People also search for: dog hemoperitoneum treatment · epsilon aminocaproic acid for dogs · dog surgery blood transfusion need
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To document the effects of epsilon aminocaproic acid (εACA) as a continuous rate infusion on the need for blood products and change in PCV during the perioperative period in dogs with spontaneous hemoperitoneum. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, open-label controlled study. SETTING: Private practice specialty teaching hospital. ANIMALS: Eighteen client-owned dogs presenting with spontaneous hemoperitoneum. INTERVENTIONS: Dogs with a confirmed diagnosis of spontaneous hemoperitoneum secondary to an intraabdominal mass intended for surgical intervention were randomized to receive either εACA (50 mg/kg bolus, followed by a continuous rate infusion at 25 mg/kg/h for 24 h, n = 10) or standard therapy (n = 8). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: PCV and total solids were obtained at presentation, preoperatively, immediately postoperatively, and at 24 h postoperatively. Six dogs, two in the control group and four in the εACA group, received blood transfusions (33%). There was no significant difference between the number of patients receiving transfusions in the control group compared with the εACA group (p = 1.0). The median volume of blood removed from the abdomen at the time of surgery and the difference in PCV and total solids at any time point were not significantly different between the treatment and control groups. Dogs taken to surgery sooner (surgery delay <265 min) had a significantly lower postoperative PCV compared with initial (p < 0.01) and preoperative blood samples (p = 0.047). There were no adverse events attributed to εACA in any patients. CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative εACA was not associated with reduced requirement for blood product or blood loss at the time of surgery.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40522703/