Peritoneal fibrinolytic activity in equines subjected to small colon enterotomy and treated with heparin

Abstract

This study sought to assess peritoneal fibrinolytic activity post-enterotomy of the small colon in equines treated with heparin. 10 adult equines were divided into 2 groups of 5 animals each: the control group (CG) and treated group (TG). Both groups underwent laparotomy and enterotomy of the small colon. The TG received subcutaneous heparin (150 IU/kg, bwt q. 12 hours, 5 days). The animals were evaluated for the peritoneal concentrations of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) and D-dimer at the following time-points: prior to enterotomy (M0); 12 hours after (M1); 1 day after (M2); 2 days after (M3); 4 days after (M4); 6 days after (M5); 10 days after (M6) and 14 days after enterotomy (M7).A significant difference in tPA level was observed between the groups when all time-points were combined, with a median value of 2.59 IU/mL for the CG and 2.03 IU/mL for the TG. Although no significant difference was observed when the groups were compared at different time-points, smaller tPA and D-dimer values were observed for the TG during heparin treatment. Conclusions: In addition to the finding that the TG showed a lower tPA concentration and reduced D-dimer formation, it was concluded that heparin treatment decreased the formation of fibrin clots and peritoneal fibrinolytic activity.Because elevated D-dimer levels are directly related to a poor prognosis and high mortality rate, this study reinforced the relevance of the use of heparin in hypercoagulable states and following abdominal surgery.