Plasma D-dimer Concentration in Horses with Colic

Abstract

A total of 32 horses examined from the period between July 2015 and July 2017 were included in the present study. Horses were grouped according to the results of the general clinical examination and the diagnosis. Ten horses were apparently healthy used as control horses (Group I) and 22 research Article Abstract | The aim of this study was to measure the concentration of the plasma D-dimer in healthy horses and in horses with colic and to compare it before and after therapy. Thirty-two horses were included; 22 horses showed signs of abdominal pain. Horses were grouped according to clinical and laboratory examination results into healthy horses (Group I, n=10); horses with colic associated with enteritis and/or colitis (Group II, n=16) were presented with moderate intermittent abdominal pain with increased peristalsis and increased frequency of defecation; horses with colic associated with impaction of the intestine (Group III, n=6) were presented with severe abdominal pain and decreased fecal output. There was significant increase in the concentration of plasma D-dimer in horses with impaction of the intestine and horses with enteritis and/or colitis compared to clinically healthy horses. Therapeutic trials resulted in improvement of the D-dimer concentration where the concentration of plasma D-dimer was significantly decreased in horses with enteritis and/or colitis and in horses with impaction of the intestine after therapy compared to its concentration before therapy. In conclusion, D-dimer is a sensitive marker for detection of excessive fibrinolysis in horses. Higher concentration of plasma D-dimer is observed in severe cases of colic and might reflect poor prognosis.

Clinical, hematologic, hemostatic, and serum biochemical findings related to survival in Arabian horses with colic

“…The significantly increased PDD concentrations in nonsurviving horses, in the present study, might reflect a hypercoagulable state and exacerbated fibrinolysis that is in agreement with the previous research . We also found that the concurrently prolonged PT, increased PDD, and reduced plasma fibrinogen levels were significantly associated with a poor prognosis in horses with colic.…”

Proteinase Activated Receptor 4 in the Jejunum of Healthy Horses and of Horses With Epiploic Hernia

“…The increase in the SAA and plasmatic D-dimer and creatinine concentrations above the reference range are in accordance with previous studies in colic horses (43)(44)(45)(46). In fact, the intestinal inflammatory process results in an increased concentration of acute phase protein like SAA (44,47).…”

“…In addition, disseminated intravascular coagulation is a complication related with acute gastrointestinal tract disease in horses. Increased plasma D-Dimer concentration and creatinine concentration have been previously reported in colic horses with coagulation disorders as marker of coagulopathies and subsequent organ damage respectively (43,45,48). However, clinical disseminated intravascular coagulation was not observed in the patients of the present study.…”