Biomarkers of endothelial activation and inflammation in dogs with organ dysfunction secondary to sepsis.

Introduction: Alteration in endothelial function during sepsis is thought to play a key role in the progression of organ failure. We herein compared plasma concentrations of endothelial activation biomarkers vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), hyaluronan (HA), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and von Willebrand factor (vWF), as well as inflammatory mediator concentrations (IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, C-reactive protein and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1) in dogs with sepsis to healthy dogs.

Methods: This study was a multicenter observational clinical trial conducted at two university teaching hospitals from February 2016 until July 2017.

The Effects of Resuscitative Fluid Therapy on the Endothelial Surface Layer.

The goal of resuscitative fluid therapy is to rapidly expand circulating blood volume in order to restore tissue perfusion. Although this therapy often serves to improve macrohemodynamic parameters, it can be associated with adverse effects on the microcirculation and endothelium. The endothelial surface layer (ESL) provides a protective barrier over the endothelium and is important for regulating transvascular fluid movement, vasomotor tone, coagulation, and inflammation.

Coagulation factor activity patterns of venom-induced consumption coagulopathy in naturally occurring tiger snake (Notechis scutatus) envenomed dogs treated with antivenom.

Background: Venom-induced consumption coagulopathy (VICC) from tiger snake (Notechis scutatus) envenomation results in a dose-dependent coagulopathy that is detectable on coagulometry. However, individual coagulation factor activities in dogs with tiger snake envenomation have not been determined. This study aimed to characterise VICC and the time course of recovery in tiger snake envenomed dogs and to investigate an association between tiger snake venom (TSV) concentrations and factor activity.

In vitro effects of lactated Ringer's solution, hypertonic saline, hydroxyethyl starch, hypertonic saline/hydroxyethyl starch, and mannitol on thromboelastographic variables of canine whole blood.

Objective: To assess the in vitro effects of crystalloid and colloid IV fluids on the thromboelastographic (TEG) variables of canine whole blood.

Design: In vitro experimental study.

Setting: Veterinary teaching hospital.

The endothelial glycocalyx: Structure and function in health and critical illness.

Objective: To conduct a narrative review of the current literature in reference to the structure and function of the endothelial glycocalyx (EG) and its contribution to the pathophysiology of conditions relevant to the veterinary emergency and critical care clinician. Novel therapies for restoring or preserving the EG will also be discussed.

Data Sources: Online databases (PubMed, CAB abstracts, Scopus) were searched between January 1st 2017 and May 1st 2017 for English language articles without publication date restriction.

Clinical use of plasma lactate concentration. Part 2: Prognostic and diagnostic utility and the clinical management of hyperlactatemia.

Objective: To review the current literature pertaining to the use of lactate as a prognostic indicator and therapeutic guide, the utility of measuring lactate concentrations in body fluids other than blood or plasma, and the clinical management of hyperlactatemia in dogs, cats, and horses.

Data Sources: Articles were retrieved without date restrictions primarily via PubMed, Scopus, and CAB Abstracts as well as by manual selection.

Human And Veterinary Data Synthesis: Increased plasma lactate concentrations are associated with increased morbidity and mortality.

Clinical use of plasma lactate concentration. Part 1: Physiology, pathophysiology, and measurement.

Objective: To review the current literature with respect to the physiology, pathophysiology, and measurement of lactate.

Data Sources: Data were sourced from veterinary and human clinical trials, retrospective studies, experimental studies, and review articles. Articles were retrieved without date restrictions and were sourced primarily via PubMed, Scopus, and CAB Abstracts as well as by manual selection.

Retrospective evaluation of cats with elapid snake envenomation associated neurotoxicity requiring mechanical ventilation: 12 cases (2005-2014).

Objective: To retrospectively determine the population and outcome characteristics of a cohort of Australian elapid snake envenomed cats requiring mechanical ventilation (MV).

Design: Retrospective observational study (2005-2014).

Setting: Academic veterinary emergency and critical care service.

Update: Clinical Use of Plasma Lactate.

Lactate is an essential, versatile metabolic fuel in cellular bioenergetics. In human emergency and critical care, lactate is used as a biomarker and therapeutic endpoint and evidence is growing in veterinary medicine supporting its clinical utility. Lactate production is a protective response providing ongoing cellular energy during tissue hypoperfusion or hypoxia and mitigating acidosis.

Plasma lactate concentration as a prognostic biomarker in dogs with gastric dilation and volvulus.

Initial and serial plasma lactate concentrations can be used to guide decision making in individual dogs with GDV but care is necessary in phrasing conversations with owners. Published data suggests that survival is more likely and the chance of complications less in dogs with an initial plasma lactate of <4 mmol/L. An initial lactate >6 mmol/L makes gastric necrosis and greater expense more likely.

Effect of body position on the arterial partial pressures of oxygen and carbon dioxide in spontaneously breathing, conscious dogs in an intensive care unit.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of body position on the arterial partial pressures of oxygen and carbon dioxide (PaO(2), PaCO(2)), and the efficiency of pulmonary oxygen uptake as estimated by alveolar-arterial oxygen difference (A-a difference).

Design: Prospective, randomized, crossover study.

Setting: University teaching hospital, intensive care unit.

Partial right ventriculectomy using the incised patch technique to treat double chambered right ventricle and chylothorax in a cat.

Objective: To report successful surgical treatment of double chambered right ventricle (DCRV) in a cat.

Study Design: Clinical report.

Animals: Cat with DCRV.

Clinical investigation of a point-of-care blood ammonia analyzer.

Background: Hyperammonemia has frequently been implicated in the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy. Blood ammonia determination requires minimal delay between sampling and analysis for accurate results.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the PocketChem BA, a new point-of-care (POC) blood ammonia analyzer for clinical use by determining machine precision, linearity, repeatability, and accuracy.

Fluid therapy in patients with pulmonary disease.

Fluid therapy in patients with pulmonary disease is challenging. Although a single set of rules cannot be applied to every patient, the following guidelines can be used when managing patients with pulmonary disease. Euvolemic patients with adequate tissue perfusion should be given sufficient isotonic fluid to balance insensible losses.

Acid-base and electrolyte abnormalities in dogs with gastrointestinal foreign bodies.

Gastrointestinal foreign bodies occur commonly in dogs. The objective of the study was to describe the acid-base and electrolyte abnormalities identified in dogs with gastrointestinal foreign bodies and determine if these abnormalities are related to the site or type of foreign body present. Medical records of 138 dogs were reviewed, and information on signalment, initial venous electrolyte and acid-base values, surgical findings, relevant historical information, imaging modalities used, cost of hospital visit, intra- or postoperative complications, and survival was obtained.

Assessment and treatment of perfusion abnormalities in the emergency patient.

Many patients presented to the emergency veterinarian are suffering from global or local tissue hypoperfusion. Global or systemic hypoperfusion can occur secondary to a reduction in the effective circulating intravascular volume (hypovolemic shock) or reduced ability of the heart to pump blood around the body secondary to reduced cardiac function (cardiogenic shock),obstruction to blood flow (obstructive shock), or maldistribution of the circulating intravascular volume (distributive shock). Initial assessment involving physical examination supplemented by measurement of hemodynamic and metabolic parameters allows the clinician to recognize and treat patients with severe global hypoperfusion.

Veterinary critical care.

Veterinary species experience similar perturbations of their health to those of human patients. When the long-term prognosis is good and providing suffering can be minimized, animals stand to benefit greatly from recent advances in the field of emergency and critical care. Outcomes in many conditions in small and large animals have improved markedly in the last 15 years, as management has improved, making the financial and emotional investment in critical care worthwhile for many owners.

Vascular endothelial growth factor concentrations in body cavity effusions in dogs.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has potent angiogenic, mitogenic, and vascular permeability enhancing properties specific for endothelial cells. VEGF is present in high concentrations in inflammatory and neoplastic body cavity effusions and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of neoplastic and inflammatory effusion formation. In this study, VEGF was quantitated by solid-phase enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay (ELISA) in samples of pericardial, pleural, and peritoneal effusions (N = 38) from dogs (N = 35) with neoplastic and non-neoplastic diseases.

Comparison of platelet count recovery with use of vincristine and prednisone or prednisone alone for treatment for severe immune-mediated thrombocytopenia in dogs.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of prednisone alone, compared with a combination of prednisone and vincristine, on platelet counts in bleeding dogs with severe primary immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (IMT).

Design: Prospective case study.

Animals: 24 dogs with severe primary IMT PROCEDURE: All dogs received immunosuppressive doses of prednisone (1.

Fluid therapy with artificial colloids: complications and controversies.

Objectives To discuss the advantages and disadvantages of colloidal therapy in veterinary medicine. Databases used MEDLINE (1966-present), Commonwealth Agricultural Bureau Abstracts (1973-present), personal files.

Transvascular fluid dynamics.

Objective: To review the pathophysiology of fluid and macromolecular movement between the microvascular, interstitial and lymphatic spaces and provide a basis for logical intravenous colloid therapy.

Databases Used: Medline (1966 - present), Commonwealth Agricultural Bureaux abstracts (1973 - present) and Personal files.