Therapeutic efficacy and safety evaluation of erythrocyte concentrate used in dogs

Abstract

Therapeutic efficacy and safety evaluation of erythrocyte concentrate used in dogs 1Ildikó BARABÁSI, 1Cristina ȘTEFǍNUȚ, 1Laurenţ OGNEAN 1University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 400037, Manastur street, no.3-5, Cluj-Napoca, Romania *Corresponding author: lognean@yahoo.com Keywords: dogs, erythrocyte concentrate, hematocrit, immune-mediated hemolytic anemia, transfusion therapy Introduction: The minimum dose of whole blood products as well as erythrocyte concentrate has been under a lot of debate, new equations for calculating the optimal dose being made up from a large variety of hematologists (Kisielewicz et al 2014; Helm and Knottenbelt, 2010; Gibson, 2007). Aim: The therapeutical efficacy of erythrocyte concentrates in dogs with different types of anemia by measuring the hematocrit level 6 hours after the transfusion and a complete blood count 5 days post-transfusion therapy. Materials and methods: Blood tests were performed with ADIVA hematological analyzer; the 6 hour post-transfusion hematocrit was determined by a micro hematocrit. On admission every patient received a routine blood test that included 40 hematological parameters and 21 biochemical parameters. In addition, a detailed examination of the blood smears was also performed by the ADIVA hematological analyzer with 26 parameters that mostly referred to red blood cell and white blood cell morphology. Blood typing was done using the RapidVet quick test kit. Patients received only type specific blood and to limit transfusion reaction occurrences, in addition, a crossmatch test was performed before every transfusion. Statistical analysis was accomplished with GraphPadInStat 3.0 and the graphical depiction of the obtained results was made using the Origin 8.5. graphics program. Results: Statistical analysis reveal that the total red blood cell count underwent very significant changes (p=0.0052) as well as the hemoglobin (p=0.0085). The hematocrit had an extremely significant evolution (p=0.0002). As far as the other hematological parameters are concerned, none underwent statistically significant evolutions from first day of transfusion (T0) until five days post-transfusion therapy (T5). Conclusion: The erythrocyte concentrate can be used safely even in critically ill or immune-suppressed patients and even in patients with an exaggerated immune response. A clear dosage of this blood product has not been set yet, every administration has to be tailored to the patient’s needs.