Factors influencing the occurrence of thrombophlebitis after post-surgical long-term intravenous catheterization of colic horses: a study of 38 cases.
Abstract: Thrombophlebitis is a well-known complication of the use of long-term in-dwelling catheters. In humans, catheter material has been shown to strongly influence the occurrence of thrombophlebitis. In the horse, the influence of catheter material has been studied in healthy experimental animals, but information on the relative importance of this factor is lacking. To investigate which factors have most impact on the frequency of jugular vein thrombosis in post-surgical colic horses, a clinical study was performed on 38 animals. Horses were randomly divided into two groups. In one group a polytetrafluoroethylene catheter was used, in the other a polyurethane catheter. Both groups were clinically monitored and screened for signs of thrombophlebitis. Seven out of 38 horses developed thrombophlebitis. The type of catheter material used had no influence on thrombophlebitis development. Dwell time was significantly longer in horses that developed thrombophlebitis compared with those that did not. There was no relationship between the occurrence of thrombophlebitis and underlying disease or surgical treatment, suggesting that the general state of debilitation these horses experienced was the most important determinant for the development of thrombophlebiris. This was further stressed by the fact that seven horses developed thrombophlebitis of the contralateral vein that had been used for the induction of anaesthesia (this incidence is much higher than in horses anaesthetized for elective surgery). It is concluded that the state of debilitation is the most important determining factor for the occurrence of thrombophlebitis after the use of long-term in-dwelling intravenous catheters. This makes a substantial reduction of the incidence of thrombophlebitis difficult, but some progress can be made by consequently restricting dwell time.
Publication Date: 2002-01-05 PubMed ID: 11765811DOI: 10.1046/j.1439-0442.2001.00383.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Clinical Trial
- Journal Article
- Randomized Controlled Trial
Summary
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This research article explores factors affecting the occurrence of thrombophlebitis, a vein inflammation, following post-surgical intravenous catheterization in horses. The results indicate that debilitation from experiencing surgery, rather than the material of the catheter or underlying conditions, is the key determinant.
Research Objectives and Methodology
- The goal of the research was to evaluate which factors most significantly influence the incidence of thrombophlebitis in colic horses post-surgery.
- The study involved 38 horses who were divided into two groups. One group was treated with a polytetrafluoroethylene catheter while the other utilized a polyurethane catheter.
- Both groups were clinically observed and scrutinized for signs of thrombophlebitis, a condition where the veins become inflamed due to the formation of a blood clot.
Key Findings
- Seven out of the thirty-eight horses developed thrombophlebitis. However, it was noted that the type of catheter material used was not a driving factor in whether or not the condition occurred.
- Instead, the research found that dwell time, the duration the catheter was in place, was a more significant factor – with horses that got thrombophlebitis having a noticeably longer dwell time than those who didn’t.
- Furthermore, contrary to what may be assumed, there was no correlation between the occurrence of thrombophlebitis and either the underlying disease or surgical treatment. This led the researchers to conclude that the principal determining factor for developing thrombophlebitis was the horse’s level of debilitation from surgery.
Conclusion and Recommendations
- Based on the findings, it was concluded that the horse’s post-surgical debilitation was the most essential determinant for the occurrence of thrombophlebitis following the long-term use of in-dwelling intravenous catheters.
- Given this conclusion, it could be challenging to substantially decrease the incidence of thrombophlebitis in this context.
- However, some progress could be made by consistently limiting the dwell time of the catheter.
Cite This Article
APA
Lankveld DP, Ensink JM, van Dijk P, Klein WR.
(2002).
Factors influencing the occurrence of thrombophlebitis after post-surgical long-term intravenous catheterization of colic horses: a study of 38 cases.
J Vet Med A Physiol Pathol Clin Med, 48(9), 545-552.
https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1439-0442.2001.00383.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiteit Utrecht, The Netherlands. D.P.K.Lankveld@vet.uu.nl
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Catheters, Indwelling / adverse effects
- Catheters, Indwelling / veterinary
- Colic / surgery
- Colic / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / etiology
- Horse Diseases / surgery
- Horses
- Incidence
- Polytetrafluoroethylene
- Polyurethanes
- Postoperative Complications / epidemiology
- Postoperative Complications / etiology
- Postoperative Complications / veterinary
- Risk Factors
- Thrombophlebitis / epidemiology
- Thrombophlebitis / etiology
- Thrombophlebitis / veterinary
- Time Factors
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Hussein HA, Ibrahim A. B-mode and color Doppler ultrasonography of normal external jugular vein in donkeys (Equus asinus). BMC Vet Res 2022 Sep 14;18(1):345.
- Kopper JJ, Bolger ME, Kogan CJ, Schott HC 2nd. Outcome and complications in horses administered sterile or non-sterile fluids intravenously. J Vet Intern Med 2019 Nov;33(6):2739-2745.
- Estell KE, Young A, Kozikowski T, Swain EA, Byrne BA, Reilly CM, Kass PH, Aleman M. Pneumonia Caused by Klebsiella spp. in 46 Horses. J Vet Intern Med 2016 Jan-Feb;30(1):314-21.
- Dias DP, de Lacerda Neto JC. Jugular thrombophlebitis in horses: a review of fibrinolysis, thrombus formation, and clinical management. Can Vet J 2013 Jan;54(1):65-71.
- Southwood LL, Long A, Perez J, Daniel S, Bittinger K, Aitken M, Redding L. Effect of surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis duration for colic surgery on complications and resistome. Equine Vet J 2026 Mar;58(2):390-403.
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