Peritoneal and plasma D-lactate concentrations in horses with colic.

This study seeks to determine the relationship between peritoneal fluid and plasma d-lactate concentrations in the diagnosis and prognosis of horses with colic, finding that peritoneal d-lactate concentration can be useful in identifying horses with strangulating obstructions.

Methodology of the Study

• The study uses a prospective cross-sectional design and involves 6 clinically healthy horses along with 90 horses afflicted with colic.
• D-lactate concentrations in the peritoneal fluid and plasma of all participating horses are measured.
• Other vital variables used for research include other peritoneal fluid and blood variables, results from the physical examination, the need for surgery, outcome, lesion location, and type. These variables are retrieved from medical records.

Findings of the Study

• The study found out a strong correlation between plasma D-lactate concentration and Peritoneal D-lactate concentration with a statistical relevance (r=0.71; P<.001).
• Positive correlations were noted between peritoneal and plasma D-lactate concentrations and peritoneal and plasma L-lactate concentrations, respectively. Conversely, the study found a negative correlation between peritoneal D-lactate concentration and the survival rate to discharge (U=430.5; P<.001).
• Through a comparative study, it was deduced that the Median Peritoneal D-lactate concentration in horses with septic peritonitis or ones with gastrointestinal rupture were higher than horses with nonstrangulating obstructions.
• A selected cut-off concentration of peritoneal D-lactate at 116.6 μmol/L showed an ability to differentiate between nonstrangulating and strangulating obstructions with a sensitivity of 0.813 and a specificity of 0.651.

Conclusion

• The study concluded that peritoneal D-lactate concentration measurements might be more reliable for identifying horses with strangulating obstructions. It has high sensitivity meaning, there is a low probability of a false negative.
• However, the moderate specificity of peritoneal D-lactate concentration indicates a high probability of a false positive so it might not be effective to rule out the presence of strangulating obstruction.