Autologous blood transfusion in dogs with thoracic or abdominal hemorrhage: 25 cases (2007–2012)

Abstract

ABT is an adjunct to volume replacement in dogs with thoracic or abdominal hemorrhage secondary to vascular trauma, ruptured tumor, or anticoagulant rodenticide toxicosis. ABT may be used as bridge to definitive hemorrhage control, particularly when other blood products are not available or affordable. Complications may include hypocalcemia, prolonged coagulation times, and hemolysis.

Successful management of catastrophic peripheral vascular hemorrhage using massive autotransfusion and damage control surgery in a dog

“…Using an estimated blood volume of 90 mL/kg for dogs, the dog in this report was autotransfused approximately 58% of his blood volume in less than 3 hours, thus fitting the criteria for massive transfusion. Massive transfusion and autotransfusion have been associated with coagulopathy, hypocalcemia, and other electrolyte disturbances . Coagulopathy can occur due to dilution of platelets and clotting factors, or secondary to anticoagulants added to the donor blood.…”

“…An autotransfusion unit or cell salvage device was not available and thus autotransfusion was carried out by transferring the blood from the suction canister to an empty blood transfusion collection bag with a standard in‐line blood filter. Although the collected blood could contain red blood cell fragments, activated platelets, cytokines, bone fragments, and fat, previous studies in the veterinary and human literature have shown that the administration of unwashed blood is safe when administered through a filter …”

“…Hypocalcemia is a complication that has been associated with both massive transfusion and autotransfusion and is generally attributed to the citrate in anticoagulated blood . In this dog, ionized calcium remained normal immediately posttransfusion and significant hypocalcemia was not anticipated as the autotransfused blood was not anticoagulated.…”

“…Autotransfusion is a form of autologous transfusion in which hemorrhaged blood is salvaged and transfused back to the patient. In the veterinary literature, autotransfusion has been mostly performed after thoracic or abdominal cavity hemorrhage . Reports in human literature indicate that autologous transfusion of unwashed blood from orthopedic procedures is safe, but there is a paucity of such evidence in the veterinary literature.…”

Autotransfusion using a novel ultrafiltration device (Hemosep, Advancis Surgical) for the management of acute intraoperative haemorrhage in a dog

“…The use of leucoreduction filters has shown to remove between 97.6 and 99 per cent of bacterial load and no autotransfusion infections have been identified 19. A veterinary study reported successful use of autotransfusion of filtered blood where trauma was the source of bleeding; no significant association between survival and aetiology of haemorrhage was found, and no autotransfusion infections were identified 20. Although not relevant to the orthopaedic case presented here, a controversy exists in autotransfusion of oncology patients; although cancer cells or their fragments have been found in salvaged blood, some authors question their ability to cause metastases 21.…”