Massive pulmonary thromboembolism in six horses

Abstract

This report involves 6 cases in which medical records and post mortem findings were reviewed leading to the diagnosis of massive pulmonary thromboembolism (MPTE). All horses were mature and MPTE has not been recognised previously as a sequel to generalised systemic illness in mature horses. The clinical data and pathological findings of the cases are reported and the authors conclude that MPTE is an uncommon but important complication of medical and surgical disorders in mature horses. In 3 of the cases, the condition was nonfatal suggesting that some horses having developed PTE survive and the condition may not be recognised in such cases. The incidence of the condition might be higher than supposed.

Thrombelastography in 26 healthy horses with and without activation by recombinant human tissue factor

“…The TEG analyzer, properly used, may help to diagnose and characterize coagulopathies in horses. Coagulopathies have been identified in equines suffering from myriad diseases, including gastrointestinal disease, 1–10,17 sepsis, 19–21 laminitis, 22,23 and other inflammatory diseases 11,24 . The advantages of TEG over traditional coagulation testing include the ability of a single assay to assess mechanical and kinetic properties of clot formation, coagulation and fibrinolysis, and the interplay of cellular and soluble protein elements of coagulation.…”

Evaluation of athletic performance in horses with jugular vein thrombophlebitis: 91 cases (1988–2005)

“…6,7,10,[14][15][16] Interestingly, none of these complications were recognized in the horses of the study reported here. 6,7,10,[14][15][16] Interestingly, none of these complications were recognized in the horses of the study reported here.…”

Coagulopathy of the critically ill equine patient

“…In a report of 6 horses with massive pulmonary thromboembolism the presenting complaints included colic due to a strangulating small intestinal lesion, colic due to colitis with associated acute laminitis, colic due to uterine torsion followed by cesarean section and retained placenta, and 2 cases of myonecrosis. Four of the 6 horses had peripheral thrombophlebitis 49 . Other cases of massive pulmonary thromboembolism have been reported with necrotizing pneumonia in adult horses 50,51 and sepsis in a neonatal foal 13 …”