The effects of automated plasmapheresis on clinical, haematological, biochemical and coagulation variables in horses.
Abstract: The goal of this study was to determine the effects of plasmapheresis on the behaviour, general condition, haematological, biochemical and coagulation variables of donor horses for 32 days following the procedure. Twenty millilitres of plasma/kg body weight were collected via plasmapheresis in six clinically healthy horses. The general behaviour and condition of the horses was not affected by the procedure. During plasmapheresis, there was a mild increase in the haematocrit, haemoglobin concentration and total erythrocyte and leucocyte counts (P < 0.01). The mean concentrations of total protein and albumin decreased significantly (P < 0.01) and total protein did not normalise for about three weeks. Several other biochemical variables also decreased significantly during plasmapheresis, but mostly remained within reference ranges. After plasmapheresis, the mean value of the activated partial thromboplastin time and the thrombin time were mildly but significantly increased (P < 0.01), and the mean activities of factor V, factor VIII and antithrombin decreased significantly (P < 0.01), although all coagulation values remained within reference ranges. Our results indicate that, in horses, the collection of 20 mL of plasma/kg body weight via plasmapheresis results in mild changes in several haematological, biochemical and coagulation variables, although these were of no clinical relevance for the donors.
Publication Date: 2005-02-03 PubMed ID: 15683770DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2004.01.007Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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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.
Cite This Article
APA
Feige K, Ehrat FB, Kästner SB, Wampfler B.
(2005).
The effects of automated plasmapheresis on clinical, haematological, biochemical and coagulation variables in horses.
Vet J, 169(1), 102-107.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2004.01.007 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Equine Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstr. 260, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland. kfeige@vetclinics.unizh.ch
MeSH Terms
- Analysis of Variance
- Animals
- Automation
- Blood Cell Count / veterinary
- Blood Coagulation / physiology
- Blood Proteins / analysis
- Blood Specimen Collection / instrumentation
- Blood Specimen Collection / methods
- Blood Specimen Collection / veterinary
- Female
- Hematocrit / veterinary
- Hemoglobins / metabolism
- Horses / blood
- Male
- Partial Thromboplastin Time / veterinary
- Plasmapheresis / adverse effects
- Plasmapheresis / methods
- Plasmapheresis / veterinary
- Thrombin Time / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Huertas RM, Arguedas M, Estrada JM, Moscoso E, Umaña D, Solano G, Vargas M, Segura Á, Sánchez A, Herrera M, Villalta M, Arroyo-Portilla C, Gutiérrez JM, León G. Clinical effects of immunization, bleeding, and albumin-based fluid therapy in horses used as immunoglobulin source to produce a polyspecific antivenom (Echitab-plus-ICP) towards venoms of African snakes. Toxicon X 2023 Jun;18:100158.
- Taylor WD Jr, Langham GL, Weed JL, Rowe T, Song W, Isenberg KA, Xu X, Wentworth DE, Lathrop G, Powell N. The effects of repeated automated plasmapheresis in goats (Capra hircus) in response to vaccination with purified influenza hemagglutinin proteins. PLoS One 2018;13(6):e0195903.
- Broux B, Lefère L, Deprez P, van Loon G. Plasma exchange as a treatment for hyperbilirubinemia in 2 foals with neonatal isoerythrolysis. J Vet Intern Med 2015 Mar-Apr;29(2):736-8.
- Evers J, Ehren N, Engelen T, Hansen M, Luethje K, Taborski U. Course of Hemoglobin and Hematocrit during and after Preparatory Plasmaphereses without and with Infusion of NaCl 0.9% 500 ml. Transfus Med Hemother 2014 Apr;41(2):114-6.
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