Ex vivo evaluation of a novel cell salvage device to recover canine erythrocytes.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the ability of a cell salvage device to recover canine erythrocytes by direct aspiration of diluted packed red blood cells (pRBC) and saline rinse from blood-soaked surgical swabs. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental study. SAMPLE POPULATION: Twelve recently expired units of canine pRBC. METHODS: pRBC units donated from a pet blood bank (after quality analysis) were diluted with anticoagulant, divided into two equal aliquots, and subsequently harvested by direct suction (Su), or soaked into swabs, saline-rinsed and suctioned (Sw). The volume of product, manual packed cell volume (PCV), and red blood cell mass (rbcM) were measured and compared before and after salvaging. The rbcM recovery was recorded as percentage ([rbcM post salvage]/[rbcM presalvage]x100). Statistical analysis of all measured values was performed (significance p < .05). RESULTS: No difference was detected between pre- and post-salvage PCV or mean rise of PCV for either group. The volume of salvaged blood was 143 ml (SD ± 2.89 ml; Su) and 139.83 ml (SD ± 3.30 ml; Sw), p < .001. The average rbcM recovered was 88.43% (Su) and 84.74%. (Sw) averaged 84.74% (p = .015). Blood type and order of processing did not influence recovery. CONCLUSION: The tested cell saver device reliably salvages canine blood in this ex vivo setting. Cell salvage via direct suction produces higher volumes of salvaged blood than rinsing blood-soaked swabs and salvaging the flush. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Washing blood-saturated surgical swabs results in a high harvest of red blood cells. The authors recommend it as an adjunct to direct suction to maximize erythrocyte recovery.

Intraoperative cell salvaging: ex vivo evaluation of two swab-washing methods.

OBJECTIVE: To compare erythrocyte recovery by a cell salvage device between swab-washing by manual agitation or filtration. SAMPLE: 12 recently expired units of canine packed RBCs. PROCEDURE: The packed RBC units underwent quality analysis before donation from a pet blood bank. Each unit was volume-expanded with anticoagulant and subsequently divided into 2 equal aliquots used to soak surgical swabs before washing. Two different swab-washing techniques were evaluated-standard swab-washing-manual agitation (SW-MA) and swab-washing-filtration (SW-F)-with a novel prototype device. The resulting bloody fluid was processed using the Cell Saver Elite Autotransfusion System (Haemonetics). The volume, manual PCV, CBC, and RBC mass, calculated as the product of the volume and PCV, were measured before and after salvaging. Last, the RBC mass recovery was recorded as a percentage. RESULTS: The RBC mass recovered from SW-MA and SW-F averaged 85.73% and 83.99%, respectively. There was no significant difference in RBC recovery between the 2 methods (P = .52). CLINICAL RELEVANCE: SW-MA and SW-F recovered a similar quantity of RBCs from blood-soaked swabs in an ex vivo setting.

Comparison of two protocols for insulin administration and fasting time in diabetic dogs anaesthetised for phacoemulsification: A prospective clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of evidence-based guidelines on perioperative insulin administration and fasting time in diabetic dogs. The aim of this study was to compare two protocols with respect to intraoperative changes in blood glucose (BG) concentrations compared to preoperative values. METHODS: Thirty-two dogs were included. Dogs of group AM (n = 15) underwent anaesthesia in the morning after 12 hours fasting and received half their usual insulin dose, while dogs of group PM (n = 17) had surgery in the afternoon after 6 hours fasting and received their usual insulin dose; BG was measured before premedication (baseline), after anaesthetic induction, every 30 minutes throughout surgery, at extubation and after anaesthetic recovery. The occurrence of intraoperative complications was recorded. RESULTS: There were no differences between groups in perioperative changes in BG over time, and in the proportion of dogs experiencing complications. Common complications were hypotension (53 per cent of dogs in either groups), hyperglycaemia (67 and 65 per cent in groups AM and PM) and hyperkalaemia (20 and 11 per cent in groups AM and PM). CONCLUSIONS: Either protocols may be used in diabetic dogs undergoing anaesthesia. The occurrence of hyperkalaemia in the study population supports routine intraoperative monitoring of blood potassium concentration.

A comparison of the effect of propofol and alfaxalone on laryngeal motion in nonbrachycephalic and brachycephalic dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of propofol and alfaxalone on laryngeal motion under a light plane of anaesthesia in nonbrachycephalic and brachycephalic dogs anaesthetized for nonemergency procedures. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomized clinical trial. ANIMALS: A total of 48 client-owned dogs (24 nonbrachycephalic and 24 brachycephalic). METHODS: A standardized premedication of methadone (0.2 mg kg-1) and acepromazine (0.01 mg kg-1) was administered intramuscularly. Dogs were randomly assigned to be induced with increments of propofol (1-4 mg kg-1) or alfaxalone (0.5-2 mg kg-1). Laryngeal assessment was performed under a light plane of anaesthesia by a surgeon (GTH) who was unaware of the induction protocol. Laryngeal movement was assessed as either being present when abduction of the laryngeal cartilages upon inspiration was identified, or absent when abduction was not recognized. Simultaneously, a 60-second video was recorded. The same surgeon (GTH) and an additional surgeon (NK) re-evaluated the videos 1 month later. Categorical comparisons were studied using Chi square and Fisher's exact test where appropriate. Pairwise evaluation of agreement between scorers was undertaken with the kappa statistic (κ). RESULTS: There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) identified between the presence or absence of laryngeal motion between dogs administered propofol or alfaxalone, as well as when analysing nonbrachycephalic and brachycephalic dogs separately. The majority of dogs (>75%) maintained some degree of laryngeal motion with both protocols. Agreement between assessors was excellent (κ = 0.822). CONCLUSIONS: Alfaxalone maintained laryngeal motion similarly to propofol in nonbrachycephalic and brachycephalic dogs. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Both agents would appear appropriate for allowing assessment of laryngeal motion in nonbrachycephalic and brachycephalic dogs. The assessment technique of subjective evaluation of laryngeal motion via peroral laryngoscopy under a light plane of anaesthesia produced consistent results amongst assessors, regardless of the induction agent used.