Exploration of risk factors for non-survival and for transfusion-associated complications in cats receiving red cell transfusions: 450 cases (2009 to 2017).

OBJECTIVES: To describe red blood cell transfusion practices and short-term outcomes in anaemic cats. To determine clinical variables associated with non-survival and transfusion-related complications. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, blood bank records from the Ontario Veterinary College Health Science Centre (OVC-HSC) were reviewed to identify cats that received packed red blood cells or whole blood from 2009 to 2017. We extracted cause of anaemia, history of previous transfusion, pre- and post-transfusion packed cell volume, pre-transfusion compatibility testing, volume and dose of blood product, age of red blood cell unit, transfusion-associated complications and patient survival. RESULTS: A total of 450 transfusion events were recorded in 267 cats. Blood loss was the most common indication for blood transfusion (44.9%), followed by ineffective erythropoiesis (37.5%) and red blood cell destruction (22.5%). Transfusion-associated complications occurred in 10.2% events and there was a 20.2% mortality after transfusion. Mean increase in packed cell volume 24-hours after transfusion was greater in cats undergoing major cross-match testing before transfusion (7.2%) versus those that did not (4.0%). Non-survival was associated with higher packed cell volume before transfusion, low patient body temperature before transfusion, anaemia due to blood loss and number of transfusions administered. Older age of transfused blood units was associated with non-survival and transfusion-related complications. CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: This study was observational and so our analyses were exploratory, but suggest that major cross-match before transfusion tended to have greater transfusion efficacy and transfusion of older blood products might have detrimental effects on survival.

Partial cystectomy and bilateral ureteroneocystostomy for resection of invasive transitional cell carcinoma involving the trigone area of the bladder in a dog - case report / Cistectomia parcial e uretroneocistostomia bilateral para ressecção de carcinoma invasivo de células de transição envolvendo área trigonal de bexiga em cão - relato de caso

This study aims to report the technique of partial cystectomy and bilateral ureteral reimplantation for resection of transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) in the trigone region of the bladder and the long-term follow-up in a Bernesse Mountain dog. The proposed surgical technique was considered viable and a potential treatment option for TCC in bladder trigone, with benefits regarding the prevention of urinary tract obstruction due to neoplastic growth and local removal of the primary tumor, which may limit or delay the spread of the disease even without adjuvant chemotherapy. The main disadvantages related to the described technique are ureteral stricture, intermittent cystitis and local relapse. However, the results are acceptable considering the long-term survival of 610 days in the case described.(AU)

Esse estudo tem como objetivo relatar a técnica de cistectomia parcial e reimplantação uretral bilateral para ressecção de carcinoma de células de transição em região trigonal de bexiga e seguimento clínico de cão da raça Bernesse Mountain. A técnica cirúrgica proposta foi considerada viável e opção potencial de tratamento com benefícios na prevenção de obstrução de trato uretral devido a crescimento neoplásico e remoção local de tumor primário que pode limitar ou retardar a disseminação da doença mesmo sem quimioterapia adjuvante. A principal desvantagem relatada em relação à técnica descrita são constrição uretral, cistite intermitente, e relapso local. No entanto, os resultados são aceitáveis levando em consideração a sobrevida a longo prazo de 610 no caso descrito.(AU)

[Sideropenic anemia in pregnancy. Clinical contribution]. / Anemia sideropenica in gravidanza. Contributo clinico.

The Authors report a very high frequency of premature births, of caesarean section and of complications in the puerperae as well as in the newborns found in 120 pregnant women with iron deficiency anemia in comparison with 120 healthy pregnant women. They confirm the importance of early diagnosis for prompt iron treatment.

[Ultrasonic diagnosis of anencephaly during the 15th week of pregnancy]. / Diagnosi ecografica di anencefalia nel corso della XV settimana di gestazione.

The Authors describe a case of anencephaly diagnosed by ultrasound in the XV week of pregnancy. They confirm the importance of anamnesis to single out the persons at risk, but emphasize the validity of ultrasound for the chance diagnoses.

[A case of right incomplete uterine aplasia with right tubal abortion. Etiopathogenic and clinical evaluation]. / Un caso di aplasia uterina destra incompleta con aborto tubarico destro. Valutazioni eziopatogenetiche e cliniche.

The Authors report a case of right tubal abortion diagnosed by ultrasound in the sixth week of pregnancy. The operating report of pseudounicorn uterus showed a pregnancy in the tubal anlage of the atrophic hemicorn after external migration.

[Hydrops and common atrioventricular canal in a fetus of karyotype 47(XY)+21. Ultrasonic diagnosis at twenty weeks]. / Idrope e canale atrioventricolare comune in feto con cariotipo 47 (XY) + 21. Diagnosi ecografica a venti settimane.

The Authors report a case of fetal ascites and hydrothorax with common atrioventricular canal diagnosed by ultrasound. They suspect a Down's syndrome confirmed by amniocentesis for fetal caryotype. They attach importance to the early diagnosis and to the cytogenetic research for therapeutic trend.

[A case of fetal craniorachischisis. Early echographic diagnosis]. / Un caso di craniorachischisi fetale. Diagnosi ecografica precoce.

The Authors point out the importance of ultrasonographic examination for the prenatal diagnosis of neural tube defects. They report a case of foetal craniorachischinosi, which was accidentally encountered, in the absence of clinical or anamnestic indications. They conclude that only the ultrasound method marker it possible to choose obstetric strategy when this anomaly is discovered early.

[Duodenal atresia, dextrocardia, atrioventricular canal. Prenatal diagnosis and obstetric management]. / Atresia duodenale, destrocardia, canale atrioventricolare. Diagnosi prenatale e condotta ostetrica.

A case of fetal duodenal atresia, dextrocardia and common atrioventricular canal diagnosed by ultrasound is described. The Authors emphasize the evaluation of right criteria for the a probable transfer of pregnant women to a qualified specialistic institute.

[Rupture of the uterus in the ninth week due to an angular pregnancy. Clinical case]. / Rottura d'utero da gravidanza angolare alla nona settimana di gestazione. Caso clinico.

A clinical case of ruptured uterus in the ninth week of an angular intrauterine pregnancy is presented.

Alveolar-arterial gradients and small airways in kyphoscoliosis.

In 14 patients, kyphoscoliotics, at the time without cardiorespiratory diseases, of average age 28 years +/- 17 (range 12-64), the average values for the vital capacity was 79.6 +/- 21.2% (range 49-125), for the Tiffeneau Index was 77.9% +/- 10.3% (range 56-91), for the RV/TLC ratio was 39.6% +/- 10.8% (range 18-56), for the MEF 25 was 2,192.8 +/- 732.1 ml/s (range 1,300-3,800), for the MEF 50 was 3,689.3 +/- 1,310.9 ml/s (range 1,750-5,500). The average value for the PaO2 was 90.3 +/- 8.3 mm Hg (range 75-109), and for the PaCO2 35.3 +/- 4.66 mm Hg (range 27.8-46). The average value for the alveolar-arterial gradient of O2 was 11.96 +/- 7.37 mm Hg (range 0.74-27.94) and for the arterial-alveolar gradient of CO2 2.30 +/- 2.41 mm Hg (range 0.22-9.98). The average value for the CO transfer was 20.06 +/- 6.84 ml/min/mm Hg (range 8-31.4). As the angle of scoliosis and the age of the subject increase, the vital capacity and the Tiffeneau Index decrease, the RV/TLC ratio and the respiratory rate increase, the MEF 25, the MEF 50, the PaO2, and the transfer of CO decrease, while PaCO2 increases. The alveolar-arterial gradient of O2 and the arterial-alveolar gradient of CO2 increase as the angle of scoliosis increases. The data so obtained show, therefore, that in kyphoscoliosis a restrictive type of respiratory dysfunction appears, along with hypoxemia due to alveolar hypoventilation and disturbances in diffusion and in the ventilation-perfusion ratio.