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Frontiers in veterinary science2020; 6; 514; doi: 10.3389/fvets.2019.00514

Risk Factors of Anesthesia-Related Mortality and Morbidity in One Equine Hospital: A Retrospective Study on 1,161 Cases Undergoing Elective or Emergency Surgeries.

Abstract: A retrospective analysis was performed to determine mortality and morbidity rates for elective and emergency cases in an equine university teaching hospital. It investigated the effect of horse-, anesthetic-, timing, and clinician experience-related variables on anesthetic complications. In total, 1,161 horses undergoing general anesthesia between January 2012 and December 2016 were included in the study. Patient information and details of the anesthetic, recovery period and immediate complications were retrieved from an archival database. Statistical analysis of qualitative and quantitative factors affecting anesthetic complications was performed using an univariable and multivariable ordinal logistic regression. Odds ratio of variables primarily affecting mortality and complications were calculated. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. General anesthesia-related global mortality rate was 1.4% (95% CI [7.1-10.4]) but was only 0.96% (95% CI [0.44-1.82]) for non-colic cases. The complication rate was 17.5% (n = 204; 95% CI [15.2-20.0]) of which 46.9% [39.4-54.5] were neuromuscular, 22.6% [16.7-29.5] were respiratory, 15.8% [10.8-22.0] were systemic, 13.6% [8.9-19.5] were cardiovascular, 1.1% [0.1-4.0] were other complications. Ninety two percent of complications occurred during recovery. Major risk factors for mortality and complications included high weight, surgeon experience, increasing age, high ASA score, long duration of anesthesia, quality of induction, lateral recumbency, orthopedic surgery, and hypotension. In these models, colic surgery did not influence the rate of any complications.
Copyright © 2020 Laurenza, Ansart and Portier.
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Publication Date: 2020-01-22 PubMed ID: 32039253PubMed Central: PMC6990105DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2019.00514Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research aims to identify the risk factors associated with mortality and morbidity in horses during and after anesthesia for surgeries. The study used data from past cases in an equine university teaching hospital.

Study Design and Sample

  • The study was a retrospective analysis of 1,161 cases of horses that underwent general anesthesia for surgery from 2012 to 2016 in the same equine hospital.
  • Both elective and emergency surgeries were included in the study.

Data Collection

  • The researchers collected data on the patient’s details, anesthetic used, length of recovery, and immediate complications from their archival database.

Statistical Analysis

  • Using both univariable and multivariable logistic regression, they analyzed the impact of several variables such as horse-related factors, anesthetic-related factors, timing, and the experience of the clinician on anesthetic complications.
  • The researchers calculated the odds ratio of each variable with reference to mortality and complications.
  • A statistical significance level was set at <0.05.

Results

  • The general mortality rate due to anesthesia was found to be 1.4% but was marginally less at 0.96% for non-colic cases.
  • The overall complication rate stood at 17.5% out of which the majority were neuromuscular and respiratory complications.
  • About 92% of these complications occurred during the recovery stage after surgery.

Major Risk Factors

  • The study identified major risk factors for mortality and complication which were the horse’s weight, the experience of the surgeon, the horse’s increasing age, high ASA score, the length of anesthesia, quality of induction, lateral recumbency during surgery, orthopedic surgery, and hypotension.
  • Interestingly, whether the surgery was for colic or not didn’t have an impact on complication rates.

Consequently, the research provides a guide for equine medical practitioners to be aware of and manage the identified risk factors for anesthesia-related mortality or morbidity in horses undergoing surgery.

Cite This Article

APA
Laurenza C, Ansart L, Portier K. (2020). Risk Factors of Anesthesia-Related Mortality and Morbidity in One Equine Hospital: A Retrospective Study on 1,161 Cases Undergoing Elective or Emergency Surgeries. Front Vet Sci, 6, 514. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2019.00514

Publication

Frontiers in veterinary science
ISSN: 2297-1769
NlmUniqueID: 101666658
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 6
Pages: 514

Researcher Affiliations

Laurenza, Chiara
  • Section of Anesthésiologie, Université de Lyon, VetAgro Sup, Marcy l'Étoile, France.
Ansart, Lèa
  • Section of Anesthésiologie, Université de Lyon, VetAgro Sup, Marcy l'Étoile, France.
Portier, Karine
  • Section of Anesthésiologie, Université de Lyon, VetAgro Sup, Marcy l'Étoile, France.
  • GREAT, Laboratoire Carmen, INSERM U1060, INRA U1235, INSA Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France.

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