The effects of automated plasmapheresis on clinical, haematological, biochemical and coagulation variables in horses.

This research paper discusses the effects of plasmapheresis, a blood donation procedure, on horses. It tracks changes in their behavior, general health, and important blood variables for about a month following the procedure.

Objective of the Research

The main aim of this research was to study the impact of plasmapheresis, a blood plasma collection process, on the clinical, hematological (i.e., blood-related), biochemical and coagulation variables in horses. The study also aimed to assess whether the horse’s behaviour or general health condition was affected during the process or not.

Procedure and Findings

• The study was conducted on six clinically healthy horses where 20 milliliters of plasma per kilogram body weight were extracted using the process of plasmapheresis.
• During the procedure, a mild increase in the haematocrit (the volume percentage of red blood cells in blood), haemoglobin concentration, and overall erythrocyte(red blood cells) and leucocyte (white blood cells) counts was observed. However, these changes were insignificant and did not affect the overall health of the horses.
• Concurrently, the concentrations of total protein and albumin, a protein responsible for maintaining the balance of fluid in the body, dropped significantly. The level of total protein did not return to normal till almost three weeks later. Again, despite this drop, the horses remained in good health.
• Other biochemical variables also recorded a significant decrease during the procedure but mostly stayed within the normal range.

Impact on Coagulation Variables

• Following plasmapheresis, minor but significant increases were recorded in the mean value of the activated partial thromboplastin (a test to understand blood clotting) time and the thrombin time, measures used to test coagulation.
• Meanwhile, the activities of Factor V and Factor VIII (both involved in clotting), and antithrombin declined significantly. Despite these changes, all coagulation values remained within the acceptable ranges.

Conclusion

This study concluded that plasmapheresis resulted in mild changes in several hematological, biochemical, and coagulation variables in horses but these changes were not of clinical significance for the horse donors as these changes did not have adverse effects on the horse’s behavior or overall health condition.