Coagulation abnormalities and complications after percutaneous liver biopsy in horses.
Abstract: Liver biopsy is useful in the diagnosis of liver disease in horses. However, bleeding is the major complication. Liver dysfunction can result in abnormalities in coagulation, although there is no definitive association between risk of hemorrhage after biopsy and coagulopathy in humans. Frequency of coagulopathies in horses with liver disease and the nature and frequency of complications after liver biopsy are not reported. Objective: To determine whether there is an association between coagulopathy and hemorrhage after liver biopsy in horses. Methods: Horses with suspected liver disease from which a liver biopsy had been obtained. Methods: Retrospective study. Variables indicative of coagulation were recorded. The frequency and nature of complications after biopsy were assessed using clinical and hematologic data. The association between abnormal coagulation variables and complications was assessed. Results: Seventy biopsies were obtained from 66 horses. At least 1 coagulation profile abnormality was identified in 58% of the 43 horses with histopathologically confirmed liver disease. Complications were observed in 4/32 monitored horses (33 biopsies). Three horses had a decrease in the packed cell volume suggestive of subclinical bleeding, and 1 horse developed a diaphragmatic hematoma. There was no association between coagulation profile abnormality and complications. Conclusions: Abnormalities of coagulation are common in horses with liver disease. Liver biopsy appears to be a safe procedure in the horse. An abnormal coagulation profile is not clearly associated with an increased risk of complications after biopsy.
Publication Date: 2008-02-22 PubMed ID: 18289308DOI: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2007.0006.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research explores if there is a connection between coagulation disorders and bleeding after a liver biopsy in horses diagnosed with liver disease. The study found no clear association between an abnormal coagulation profile and complications following a biopsy.
Research Objectives and Methodology
- The main goal of this study revolves around finding out if there is a relation between coagulation abnormalities and bleeding after liver biopsy in horses. The authors wanted to investigate if horses with liver disease, that have abnormal blood clotting profiles, are at increased risk of complications after undergoing liver biopsy.
- The research methodology involved a retrospective study of horses, suspected of having liver disease, that had undergone a liver biopsy. Coagulation markers were recorded for all these horses.
- The frequency and nature of complications post-biopsy were assessed using clinical and hematologic data. The researchers specifically looked for any association between complications following the biopsy and abnormalities in the coagulation variables.
Results and Findings
- A total of 70 biopsies from 66 horses were analyzed in this study. 58% of these horses, confirmed to have liver disease through histopathologic examination, showed at least one coagulation profile abnormality.
- Complications were noted in 4 out of 32 monitored horses, accounting for 33 biopsies. Three of these horses showed a decrease in the packed cell volume, indicative of potential subclinical bleeding. One horse developed a diaphragmatic hematoma, a large blood-filled swelling of the diaphragm.
- The findings, however, didn’t show any evidence of a significant association between coagulation profile abnormality and post-biopsy complications, implying abnormal clotting profiles might not directly increase the chances of complications after the biopsy.
Conclusions
- Coagulation abnormalities are common amongst horses suffering from liver disease. However, the study does not conclusively link these abnormalities to an increased risk of complications following a liver biopsy.
- Despite coagulation abnormalities being common in horses with liver disease, liver biopsy generally seems to be a safe procedure for horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Johns IC, Sweeney RW.
(2008).
Coagulation abnormalities and complications after percutaneous liver biopsy in horses.
J Vet Intern Med, 22(1), 185-189.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1939-1676.2007.0006.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA. ijohns@rvc.ac.uk
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biopsy / adverse effects
- Biopsy / methods
- Biopsy / veterinary
- Blood Coagulation Disorders / etiology
- Blood Coagulation Disorders / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horses
- Liver / pathology
- Liver / surgery
- Liver Diseases / diagnosis
- Liver Diseases / veterinary
- Retrospective Studies
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Satué K, Gardon JC, Muñoz A. Clinical and laboratorial description of the differential diagnoses of hemostatic disorders in the horse. Iran J Vet Res 2020 Winter;21(1):1-8.
- DeNotta SL, Divers TJ. Clinical Pathology in the Adult Sick Horse: The Gastrointestinal System and Liver. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2020 Apr;36(1):105-120.
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