Thromboelastometric evaluation of horses submitted to experimental thrombosis and jugular thrombectomy

Avaliação tromboelastométrica de equinos submetidos a trombose e trombectomia jugular experimental

Abstract:

Jugular thrombosis in horses occurs commonly in iatrogenic situations, secondary to endotoxemic clinical condition and disseminated vascular coagulation, potentially leading to death. Thus, hemostatic evaluation becomes necessary and extremely important for monitoring the risks of systemic hypercoagulability and for the efficiency of allopathic and surgical treatment. This paper describes the hemostatic behavior in experimental jugular thrombosis of ten healthy equines, subsequently submitted to two thrombectomy techniques and receiving heparin sodium as anti-rethrombosis therapy. These animals were evaluated for 20 days by thromboelastometry (TEM), platelet count, hematocrit and fibrinogen, at four moments: pre-induction to phlebitis (D0-MPF); three days after thrombophlebitis induction (D3-MFM); 6 days after, - moment of thrombophlebitis - (D9-MT); and 54 (D16) and 126 (D19) hours after thrombectomies (PTM). Thrombectomy was performed via a Vollmar Ring (group 1, n=5) and Fogarty catheter (group 2, n=5). All the animals received heparin (150 UI/kg, SC) every 12 hours, for ten days after the respective thrombectomies. Through the blood samples were evaluated TEM, activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and prothrombin time (PT), dosing of fibrinogen, hematocrit and platelet count at the abovementioned moments. For comparison between groups and moments the t test was applied at 5% significance level. No significant difference was verified between treatment groups at any of the moments. There were reductions in clotting time (CT) and clot formation time (CFT), with increase in maximum lysis (ML) until the moment D9-MT. Evaluation through INTEM^® reagent presented prolongations of CT and CFT with reduction of α angle and ML starting from D16 and D19. Similarly, aPTT presented significant differences between moments pre- (D0, 3 and 9) and post- (D16 and 19) anticoagulant and surgical treatment. The platelet numbers were diminished at moments D16 and D19. In evaluation with EXTEM^® reagent, prolongation of CT and CFT occurred only between the moments D0 vs. D3 and vs. D9. O PT did not present significant differences. The results obtained demonstrate that experimental jugular thrombophlebitis leads to local clinical alterations, with impairment of tissue and of the extrinsic coagulation pathway (EXTEM^® ), but without evidence of systemic hypercoagulability status, since there was no increase of the alpha angle or maximum clot firmness (MCF). Furthermore, TEM was shown useful and more sensitive than conventional coagulation tests (PT, aPTT and fibrinogen) for the monitoring of anticoagulant therapy, as demonstrated in other works.

Index Terms:
Thromboelastometry; jugular thrombophlebitis; horses; Vollmar Ring; Fogarty Catheter.

Resumo:

A trombose jugular nos equinos ocorre comumente em situações iatrogênicas, secundárias a quadros endotoxêmicos e a coagulação vascular disseminada, podendo levar ao óbito. Por isso, avaliação hemostática se faz necessária e de extrema importância para monitorar os riscos de hipercoagulabilidade sistêmica e também a eficiência do tratamento alopático e cirúrgico. Este trabalho descreve o comportamento hemostático na trombose jugular experimental de dez equinos hígidos, submetidos posteriormente a duas técnicas de trombectomia e recebendo heparina sódica como terapia anti retrombosante. Estes animais foram avaliados durante 20 dias por tromboelastometria (TEM), contagem de plaquetas, hematócrito e fibrinogênio, em quatro momentos: pré-indução à flebite (D0-MPF); três dias após a indução da tromboflebite (D3-MFM); 6 dias após, - momento de tromboflebite - (D9-MT); e 54 (D16) e 126 (D19) horas após as trombectomias (MPT). A trombectomia foi realizada com Anel de Vollmar (grupo 1, n=5) e cateter de Fogarty (grupo 2, n=5). Todos os animais receberam heparina (150 UI/Kg, SC) a cada 12 horas, durante dez dias após as respectivas trombectomias. Através de amostras de sangue, foram avaliadas a TEM, o tempo de tromboplastia parcial ativada (TTPa) e tempo de protrombina (TP), a dosagem de fibrinogênio, hematócrito e contagem de plaquetas nos momentos descritos acima. Para a comparação entre os grupos e momentos foi aplicado teste t, com nível de significância de 5%. Não foi verificada diferença significativa entre os grupos de tratamento em nenhum dos momentos. Houve redução do tempo de coagulação (CT) e do tempo de formação do coágulo (CFT), com aumento da lise máxima (LM) até o momento D9-MT. A avaliação com o reagente intem apresentou prolongamento do CT e do CFT e redução do ângulo α e da LM a partir do D16 e D19. Da mesma forma, o TTPa apresentou diferenças significativas entre os momentos pré (D0, 3 e 9) e pós (D16 e 19) tratamento cirúrgico e anticoagulante. Houve diminuição do número de plaquetas nos momentos D16 e D19. Na avaliação com reagente extem ocorreu apenas o prolongamento do CT e CFT entre os momentos D0 e o D3 e D9. O TP não apresentou diferenças significativas. Os resultados obtidos demonstram que a tromboflebite jugular experimental leva a alterações clínicas locais, com comprometimento tecidual e da via extrínseca da coagulação (extem), porém sem evidências de um estado sistêmico de hipercoagulabilidade, pois não houve aumento do ângulo alfa e da firmeza máxima do coágulo (MCF). Além disso, a TEM se mostrou útil e mais sensível que os testes convencionais de coagulação (TP, TTPa e fibrinogênio) para o acompanhamento da terapia anticoagulante, conforme demonstrado em outros trabalhos.

Termos de Indexação:
Tromboelastometria; tromboflebite jugular; equinos; Anel de Vollmar; Cateter de Fogarty.

Introduction

Patency of the vascular mesh ensures blood supply (gases, defenses and nutrients) to all regions of the organism and, for this reason, depends on the integrity and rigorous control of the hemostatic system. In normal situations, activation of hemostatic system always becomes necessary whenever there are blood losses, to maintain blood flow, free of clots in normal vessels, while it forms a hemostatic buffer at sites where any breach of vascular integrity occurs (Bonagura et al. 2010, Mitchell 2013).

In the occurrence of failures in controlling the hemostatic activity of blood, there is inadequate formation of the aggregation of figured elements of blood (thrombi) within the vascular bed, enabling total or partial obstruction of the lumen and, in sequence, a limitation in the regional blood drainage or perfusion(Bonagura et al. 2010, Borghesan 2010, Rafael 2012).

The mechanism of thrombus formation was well elucidated in the book Thrombose und Embolie (Thrombosis and Embolism), edited in 1856 by Rudolf Ludwig Karl Virchow. From this compendium arose the recognition of lesion or endothelial loss; alterations of blood flow (stasis or turbulence); and, the state of hypercoagulability (increase in the number of platelets, morphofunctional platelet modifications and alterations, either congenital or acquired from pro- or anticoagulant factors) - as the three principal factors involved in thrombus formation, known thereafter as the Virchow's Triad (Irniger 1963, Dornbusch 2005, Maffei et al. 2008, Barbosa et al. 2009, Mitchell 2013).

The monitoring of these hemostatic alterations can predict critical situations such as hemorrhagic diathesis and disseminated intravascular coagulation. These disturbances are frequently monitored by means of a coagulogram - exams that analyze specific factors in the plasma (platelet count, fibrinogen, bleeding time, platelet function, activated clot time, thrombin time [TT], prothrombin time [PT] and activated partial thromboplastin time [aPTT]), responsible for the clotting system (Reikvam et al. 2009, Mendez-Angulo et al. 2010). These routine tests provide fragmented pieces of information on the clotting process while, for the diagnosis of coagulopathies, many of them need to be performed jointly (Kol & Borjesson 2010).

The thromboelastogram/thromboelastography is a laboratory method that supplies a global analysis of hemostasis - processes of initiation, formation, stabilization and lysis of the coagulum, documenting the interaction of platelets and other blood cells with the coagulation proteins (Dias & De Lacerda Neto 2013). TEG^® and ROTEM^®, both apparatuses of thromboelastography, furnish a graphic representation of the formation and subsequent lysis of the coagulum, but differ in their system of detection and collection of data, utilizing a torsion wire and optical detector, respectively (Reikvam et al. 2009, Kol & Borjesson 2010, Mendez-Angulo et al. 2010, Wiinberg & Kristensen 2010). The interest in their use in equine medicine is focused primarily on distinguishing states of hypo- and hypercoagulability, in addition to evaluating coagulation and fibrinolysis (Dias & De Lacerda Neto 2013).

Clotting alterations are frequently found in equines hospitalized due to an excessive activation of the coagulation system in many diseases (Cesarini et al. 2014). These alterations are identified when we speak of equine jugular thrombophlebitis, since we can observe, in non-criteria interventionism, situations that involve these risk factors, favoring their formation (Byars et al. 2003, Barbosa et al. 2009, Borghesan 2010).

In this context, the present work aimed to describe the hemostatic behavior, through coagulogram and thromboelastometry tests, in ten healthy equines submitted to an experimental thrombotic event, subsequent to two models of thrombectomies and anti-rethrombosis therapy.

Materials and Methods

Ten healthy adult equines were utilized, of both sexes (2 males and 8 females), evaluated at the moments pre-induction to experimental right jugular phlebitis (MPF) - D0 and accompanied for 13 days, being: maintained phlebitis moment (MFM) - 3 days after induction (D1-3) and the period of thrombophlebitis (PT), which comprises 10 days of established thrombophlebitis (D4-13). After thirteen days, the animals were submitted to thrombectomy with a Vollmar Ring or by application of a Fogarty catheter, constituting two treatment groups of five animals each: Vollmar Group (VFG) and Fogarty Group (FG). After application of the thrombectomy techniques, the post-thrombectomy moment (PTM), in which the animals of each group were observed for an additional six days. This work was approved by the Committee for the Ethical Use of Animals at FMVZ - UNESP, campus of Botucatu/SP under the number 97/2012-CEUA.

Induction of jugular thrombophlebitis

The experimental induction to right jugular thrombophlebitis followed the protocol described by Dornbusch (2005). Maintained in a mechanical restraint, the right cervical region was submitted to trichotomy and local antisepsis. Under the effect of a tranquilizer, based on 10% xylazine hydrochloride⁵ (0.5mg/kg, IV), and a local anesthetic block, based on 2% lidocaine⁶; in the medial third region of the jugular, an incision of ten centimeters was made in the skin followed by dissection of the vein. Next, two atraumatic vascular clamps were applied⁷, one at each extremity (cranial and caudal) of the exposed vein, five centimeters apart. In this isolated segment of the jugular, with a 25G scalp, 20 mL of blood was drawn and at the same location the same volume of 50% glucose solution was administered⁸. Soon afterwards, loops were applied with number 2 silk thread woven⁹ through the skin involving the right jugular vein with the aim of promoting stenosis of the vessel, with this point being exposed on the skin. Fifteen minutes after application of the vascular clamps and glucose solution, the clamps were released and the subcutaneous portion sutured in a simple continuous pattern using 2-0 polyglactin 910¹⁰. The skin was sutured with 2-0 nylon¹¹, following the same pattern employed in the subcutaneous tissue.

Immediately after the induction surgery, and for two subsequent times every 72 hours, the animals received antibiotic in the form of benzathine penicillin¹² (20,000 UI/kg) by the intramuscular route. A daily curative was administered by topical aspersion of 0.5% chlorhexidine solution until the 12th day when, in the occurrence, the stitches were removed from the skin. The animals were confined in a stall until the 12^th day, then released into pasture, while maintaining the initial dietary management.

Composition of experimental groups

Ten days (D13) after experimental induction of thrombosis of the right jugular - mature phase of the thrombus, the animals were separated randomly into two experimental groups of five animals each, comprising treatments of thrombectomy with a Fogarty catheter (Group Fogarty -FG) and with a Vollmar Ring (Group Vollmar - VFG), associated with the passage of a Fogarty catheter.

The animals were equally prepared in the periods pre-, initiation of trans- (diverging only in the technique of thrombectomy) and post-operative in relation to the respective thrombectomies. After preoperative preparation constituted by 24 hours of fasting and 12 hours without water, each animal was submitted to inhalational general anesthesia following the standard protocol employed by the Anesthesiology sector at FMVZ/UNESP, Campus de Botucatu/SP, Brazil. For this, they were administered intravenously pre-anesthetic medication with xylazine¹³ and, for anesthetic induction, by the same route, diazepan¹⁴ associated with ketamine hydrochloride¹⁵ and guaiacol glyceryl ether¹⁶. After achieving decubitus, endotracheal intubation was performed; the animals were positioned on the surgical table in left lateral decubitus and maintained throughout the surgery under inhalational general anesthesia with isoflurane¹⁷.

Under general anesthesia, antisepsis was performed with alcohol-based povidone-iodine (5%) and mounting of the surgical field. Venous surgical access was accomplished via one incision (5cm) in the skin with a number 24 scalpel blade, on the right jugular, in the caudal cervical region to the segment of induction (segment C) and next, the divulsion of the planes and isolation of the vessel. Caudal and cranial umbilical tape¹⁸ were applied on the vessel, aiming to control the blood flow. Soon afterwards, longitudinal jugular phlebotomy (2cm) was performed with a number 12 scalpel blade, between the vascular tape. Starting at this moment, the animals were submitted to thrombectomy respective to the pertinent treatment group, among the following:

Thrombectomy with a Fogarty catheter: according to the protocol of Dornbusch (2005), after phlebotomy a Fogarty catheter was inserted into the jugular lumen¹⁹. After surpassing the entire cervical region of the jugular arriving at the bifurcation point (RA), the madril wire of the catheter was removed and the cuff filled with 3.5mL of physiological solution. With the cuff inflated, catheter traction was performed. The movements of insertion and traction of the catheter, with the cuff empty and filled (respectively), were repeated three times.

Thrombectomy with a Vollmar Ring: the thrombectomy followed the protocol for endarterectomy with a Vollmar Ring described in the literature (Maffei et al. 2008). After phlebotomy the Vollmar Ring was introduced into the jugular lumen in counterclockwise movements in the cranial direction up to the segment of jugular bifurcation (RA). The traction of the Ring was carried out by performing the same movement, but in a caudal direction. Next was completed the same protocol for passage of the Fogarty catheter; the thrombus fragments were removed by the initial jugular phlebotomy.

After application of the thrombectomy techniques, the suture of the jugular with 6-0²⁰ polypropylene followed in a simple isolated pattern, covering all planes of the vascular wall. The subcutaneous was approximated together to the intradermic suture stitches in a continuous simple pattern with 2-0 polyglactin 910. In the occurrence of dehiscence of the intradermic stitches, as a reinforcement, the skin was sutured in a continuous simple pattern with 2-0 nylon.

Immediately after the surgery and every 72 hours, the animals received benzathine penicillin (20,000 UI/Kg, IM) and flunixin meglumine (1mg/kg, IM) two times per day, for five days, intramuscularly and, heparin²¹ (150 UI/kg, SC) two times per day, for ten days, for preventing vascular rethrombosis. The daily curative was done with aspersion of 0.5% chlorexidine solution²² topically until the 12^th day when, in the occurrence, the stitches were removed from the skin. The animals were confined in individual stall until the 12^th day and, next, released into pasture, maintaining the initial feed management.

Laboratory exams

Throughout the evolution of this research study, the collections for the exams were performed at the moments of experimental surgical pre-induction to phlebitis (D0), three days after induction (D3), nine days from installation of thrombophlebitis (D9) and 54 (D16) and 126 (D19) hours, after the realization of thrombectomies.

The blood samples were collected from the left jugular vein with the equipment situated in a vacuum system²³ and added into a tube with 3.2% sodium citrate, then immediately sent for analysis to the Clinical Pathology laboratory at the Veterinary Hospital of FMVZ-UNESP, Campus at Botucatu, Sao Paulo state, Brazil. The samples with sodium citrate were submitted to thromboelastometry²⁴, from which the following variables were considered: [CT] clotting time; [CFT] clot formation time; angle-α [alpha]; [MCF] maximum clot firmness; and maximum lysis [ML], with tests being performed with reagents of intrinsic (INTEM^® ) and extrinsic (EXTEM^® ) pathways. Another citrated blood sample was submitted to an ice bath and subsequent centrifugation to obtain the plasma, which was utilized for accomplishment of the tests activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and prothrombin time (PT) by means of commercial kits²⁵. The samples collected with EDTA were sent immediately to the laboratory for determination of the fibrinogen concentration by the precipitation technique at 56°C; the platelet count was carried out in an automatic cell counter²⁶ and its confirmation in a blood smear; when necessary the count was performed manually and the hematocrit was measured by the technique of microhematocrit.

All the values for fibrinogen, platelet count, activated partial thromboplastin time and prothrombin time were compared with the minimum and maximum reference values from the literature (Lassen & Swardson 1995, Sellon & Wise 2009, Grondin & Dewitt 2010, Harvey 2012, Magdesian & Southwood 2014); and for comparison between groups and moments the t test was applied at a significance level of 5%.

Results

The tests of analysis of variance did not identify any difference in treatments for any of the variables, at any of the moments of evaluation. In this context, the evaluation considered variables for a single group, considering its means and standard deviations.

Platelet count

The difference in the mean values (in /μL) of the platelet count at the different moments, from both groups are presented in Table 1 and in figures 1 and 2, in which a significant difference was observed (0.0129) (p<0.050) in the comparative statistical analysis between the moments D0 vs. D19.

Table 1:
Mean and standard deviation of the platelet count (x10³/μL) between the moments and treatment groups

• Different lowercase letters indicate significant differences between moments (p<0,05).

Fig.1:
Boxplot graph presenting the comparison of platelet counts (x10³/μL), at specific moments (days) of evaluation. The lines inside the boxes denote the second quartile (50% of the data - median), the upper lines, the third quartile (75% of the data) and the lower lines the first quartile (25% of the data). The external lines indicate the standard deviation between the samples. The statistical analysis of the treatments is considered without differences; for this reason they were considered jointly.

Fig.2:
Mean and standard deviation of the platelet count, in /μL, at moments pre- and post treatment, in both groups - Fogarty and Vollmar. (gray) reference index of the literature consulted (Lassen & Swardson 1995, Sellon & Wise 2009, Grondin & Dewitt 2010, Harvey 2012, Magdesian & Southwood 2014).

Globular volume

The difference in mean values (%) for globular volume (GV) at the different moments, of both groups are presented in Table 2 and in figures 3 and 4, in which a significant difference was observed (0.0089) in the comparative statistical analysis of moments D0 vs. D16, D0 vs. D19, D3 vs. D19 e D9 vs. D19.

Table 2:
Values for mean and standard deviation of globular volume -GV (%) between the moments and treatment groups

• Different lowercase letters indicate significant differences between moments (p<0,05).

Fig.3:
Boxplot graph presenting a comparison of globular volume (%), at specific moments (days) of evaluation. The lines inside the boxes denote the second quartile (50% of the data - median), the upper lines, the third quartile (75% of the data) and the lower lines the first quartile (25% of the data). The external lines indicate the standard deviation between the samples. Since the statistical analysis of the treatments is considered to be without differences, they were considered jointly.

Fig.4:
Mean and standard deviation of globular volume percentage (%), at pre- and post-treatment moments, of both groups - Fogarty and Vollmar. (gray) reference index of the literature consulted (Lassen & Swardson 1995, Sellon & Wise 2009, Grondin & Dewitt 2010, Harvey 2012, Magdesian & Southwood 2014).

Fibrinogen

The difference in mean values (mg/dL) of fibrinogen at different moments, for both groups are presented in Table 3 and in figures 5 and 6, in which a significant difference was not observed (p<0.050) in the comparative statistical analysis of the moments (0.2182), of the treatment groups and of the interaction of the two.

Table 3:
Values of mean and standard deviation of fibrinogen dosage (mg/dL) between moments and treatment groups

• Different lowercase letters indicate significant differences between moments (p< 0,05).

Fig.5:
Boxplot graph presenting a comparison of fibrinogen dosage (mg/dL), at specific moments (days) of evaluation. The lines inside the boxes denote the second quartile (50% of the data - median), the upper lines, the third quartile (75% of the data) and the lower lines the first quartile (25% of the data). The external lines / externals indicate the standard deviation between the samples. Since the statistical analysis of the treatments is considered to be without differences, they were considered jointly.

Fig.6:
Mean and standard deviation of fibrinogen dosage, in mg/dL, at pre- and post-treatment moments, in both groups - Fogarty and Vollmar. (gray) reference index of the literature consulted (Lassen & Swardson 1995, Sellon & Wise 2009, Grondin & Dewitt 2010, Harvey 2012, Magdesian & Southwood 2014).

Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and prothrombin time (PT)

The difference in the mean values (seconds) for the activated partial thromboplastin time at the different moments, in both groups are presented in Table 4 and in figures 7 and 8, in which significant differences were observed, in the analysis of variance, (p<0.050) between moments (0.0018). The comparative statistical analysis indicated a significant difference between days D9 vs. D16 and D9 vs. D19.

Table 4:
Values for mean and standard deviation of count from the activated partial thromboplastin time (seconds) between the moments and treatment groups

• Different lowercase letters indicate significant differences between moments (p<0,05).

Fig.7:
Boxplot graph presenting a comparison do Activated partial thromboplastin time (seconds), at specific moments (days) of evaluation. The lines inside the boxes denote the second quartile (50% of the data - median), the upper lines, the third quartile (75% of the data) and the lower lines the first quartile (25% of the data). The external lines indicate the standard deviation between the samples. Since the statistical analysis of the treatments is considered to be without differences, they were considered jointly.

Fig.8:
Mean and standard deviation of the count for activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), in seconds, at pre- and post-treatment moments, from both groups.

The difference in the mean values (seconds) for prothrombin time (PT) at different moments, in both groups are presented in Table 5 and in figures 9 and 10, in which significant differences were not observed (p<0,050) in the comparative statistical analysis of moments, treatment groups and interaction of the two.

Table 5:
Values for mean and standard deviation of count of prothrombin time (seconds) between moments and treatment groups

• Different lowercase letters indicate significant differences between moments (p<0,05).

Fig.9:
Boxplot graph presenting a comparison of prothrombin time (seconds), at specific moments (days) of evaluation. The lines inside the boxes denote the second quartile (50% of the data - median), the upper lines, the third quartile (75% of the data) and the lower lines the first quartile (25% of the data). The external lines indicate the standard deviation between the samples. Since the statistical analysis of the treatments is considered to be without differences, they were considered jointly.

Fig.10:
Mean and standard deviation of counts for prothrombin time (PT), in seconds, at pre- and post-treatment moments, in both groups.

Thromboelastometry

The difference in mean values (seconds) of thromboelastometric variables (CT, CFT, angle α, MCF and ML), realized with reagents from the intrinsic pathway (INTEM^® ) and extrinsic pathway (EXTEM^® ), at different moments, from both groups are presented in figures 11 and 12, respectively.

Fig.11:
Boxplot graph presenting a comparison of thromboelastometry variables: [CT] clotting time - seconds; [CFT] clot formation time - seconds; [angle-α] angle formed between CT and the beginning of the graph curvature - degrees; [MCF] maximum clot firmness - millimeters; and maximum lysis [ML] - %, with reagent tests of the intrinsic pathway (INTEM^® ) being performed on specific days of evaluation. The lines inside the boxes denote the second quartile (50% of the data - median), the upper lines, the third quartile (75% of the data) and the lower lines the first quartile (25% of the data). The external lines indicate the standard deviation between the samples. Since the statistical analysis of the treatments is considered to be without differences, they were considered jointly.

Fig.12:
Boxplot graph presenting a comparison of thromboelastometry variables : [CT] clotting time - seconds; [CFT] clot formation time - seconds; [angle-α] angle formed between the CT and the beginning of the graph curvature - degrees; [MCF] maximum clot firmness - millimeters; and maximum lysis [ML] - %, with the reagent tests being performed from the extrinsic pathway (EXTEM^® ) on specific days of evaluation. The lines inside the boxes denote the second quartile (50% of the data - median), the upper lines, the third quartile (75% of the data) and the lower lines the first quartile (25% of the data). The external lines indicate the standard deviation between the samples. Since the statistical analysis of the treatments is considered to be without differences, they were considered jointly.

In variables with reagent from the intrinsic pathway (INTEM^® ) significant differences were found in CT (<0.001) between moments D0 vs. D16, D0 vs. D19, D3 vs. D16, D3 vs. D19, D9 vs. D16 and D9 vs. D19; in CFT between moments D0 vs. D16, D3 vs. D16, D9 vs. D16 and D9 vs. D19; in angle α between moments D3 vs. D16, D9 vs. D16 and D9 vs. D19; and in ML, between moments D0 vs. D19, D3 vs. D16, D3 vs. D19 and D9 vs. D19. In the variable MCF significant differences (p<0.050) were observed only in the comparative statistical analysis of moments D3 vs. D19.

In variables with extrinsic pathway reagent (EXTEM^® ), significant differences were found in CT (0,0518), between the moments D0 vs. D16; in CFT between the moments D0 vs. D3; and in ML (<0.0117) between the moments D9 vs. D19. In the variables angle α and MCF significant differences were not observed (p<0.050) in the comparative statistical analysis of the moments, of the treatment groups and of the interaction of the two.

Discussion

Studies on thrombophlebitis have been gaining momentum recently, as exemplified by the presentation of allopathic and surgical experimental models for induction as well as new plans to correct situations in which thrombus gives rise to total obstruction of blood flow. This is the focus of the present research, which evaluated the hemostatic aspects involved in the entire process of induction, maturation and response after allopathic and/or surgical treatment. Throughout the evolution of this research study, the platelet count in both groups remained within the reference indices present in the literature (Lassen & Swardson 1995, Sellon & Wise 2009, Grondin & Dewitt 2010, Harvey 2012, Magdesian & Southwood 2014).

Studies of hypercoagulability can be evidenced through an increase in the alpha angle and in the maximum amplitude. Some recent works have reported that the value of the maximum amplitude in the postoperative period may be predictive of thrombotic complications (Mccrath et al. 2005). Identified from the variables evaluated were reductions in clotting time (CT) and clot formation time (CFT), along with increases in maximum lysis (ML) until the moment D9-MT, which demonstrates the consumption of coagulation and active fibrinolysis factors before the animals received the respective treatments. The consumption of coagulation factors and the partial reduction of cells involved in thrombus / clot formation are the physiological sequence of thrombus formation.

The evaluation via the reagent INTEM^® presented prolongation of CT and of CFT as well as reduction of the angle α and of ML starting from D16 and D19, indicating an effect from heparin treatment (Donahue & Otto 2005, Epstein et al. 2009). The thrombocytopenia and reduction in the globular volume found on D16 and D19 in both groups may be related to reactivity of the thrombus after the employment of thrombectomy techniques.

The toxic effect of heparin on erythrocytes of horses submitted to heparin treatment has also been documented. In this case, its effect is related to agglutination of erythrocytes (Mahaffey & Moore 1986, Moore & Hinchcliff 1994), resulting in phagocytosis by macrophages and reduction in globular volume. In our study, hematocrit presented a considerable reduction between D9 and D16 and D19. This finding was already described in works by Borghesan (2010) and Hussni et al. (2009) and, in agreement with them, we do not believe that the reductions in the total platelet count and globular volume would be significant and is related to an augmentation of platelet aggregation caused by treatment with heparin. The "thrombocytopenia induced by the use of heparin" is a clinicopathological syndrome that occurs when IgG antibodies dependent on heparin bind to factor 4 of the platelet activation complex to produce a state of hypercoagulability (Maffei et al. 2008, Hussni et al. 2009, Borghesan 2010, Pavanelli & Spitzner 2011). The clinical signs commonly appear 5 days after the initiation of therapy with non-fractionated heparin, heparin presenting a low molecular weight (Linkins 2015). Its more severe form is associated with a high risk of thrombotic events that are potentially life threatening in human patients, especially those that present a diminution of 30 to 50% in the platelet count during heparin treatment, even when not presenting thrombocytopenia (Maffei et al. 2008, Hussni et al. 2009, Borghesan 2010, Linkins 2015).

In relation to the use of heparin as an anticoagulant in allopathic therapy or as a postoperative co-adjuvant after vascular surgeries, there is consensus on the importance of its laboratory monitoring with reagents of aPTT (more sensitive to the inhibitory effects of heparin on thrombin, the factors Xa and IXa) and the platelet count, being that the absence of thrombocytopenia at D16 and an increase not greater than 1.5 to 2.5 times (in seconds) of aPTT, in both groups, demonstrated that the lowest heparin dose utilized (150 UI/Kg, SC) is safe (Moore & Hinchcliff 1994, Dornbusch, 2005, Borghesan 2010).

The mean values of aPTT (38 seconds) and of PT (15 seconds) were maintained on D3 and D9, within the mean baseline values obtained on D0. The determination of the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and the prothrombin time (PT) in the animals evaluated produced levels near those of the reference values reported in the literature, namely 38 and 14 seconds, respectively on D0 (Sellon & Wise 2009).

Due to the specificity of PT by the extrinsic pathway of the coagulation cascade, its indication in hemostatic monitoring has little value. A comparative analysis of the PT means between the groups and among the moments did not find a statistically significant difference. The aPTT presented significant differences between the moments pre- (D0, 3 and 9) and post (D16 and 19) surgical and anticoagulant treatments, but without differences between treatments. As described by Borghesan (2010), the PT was not altered by the use of postoperative anticoagulant therapy, maintaining a mean of 14 seconds in both groups, at all the moments of evaluation. According to Cesarini et al. (2014), the PT values are prolonged significantly when the equines receive treatment with an anticoagulant based on low-molecular-weight heparin.

Usually the aPTT and PT are utilized jointly for evaluating secondary hemostasis. In this context, the best indicator of a negative prognosis for the admission of horses with colic are a prolonged time of aPTT (>63 seconds) together with low antithrombin activity (< 74%) (Stokol et al. 2005).

Through thromboelastometry, we can evaluate the effect of heparin and control its therapy by graphic indicators of the interval of clotting time and clot formation, which is more judicious managed with the availability of specific reagents, such as Heptem^® - a heparinase that is inactive, thus facilitating the identification of anomalous effects from the therapy and the immediate correction of the dose or suspension of medication (Donahue & Otto 2005, Epstein et al. 2009, Kol & Borjesson 2010, Mendez-Angulo et al. 2010).

Both INTEM^® and aPTT evaluate the intrinsic pathway of the coagulation cascade, demonstrating that such alterations are mainly consequences of anticoagulant treatment. In the evaluation with the reagent EXTEM, a prolongation of CT and CFT occurred only between the moments D0 vs. D3 and D9, which suggests consumption of clotting factors due to the induction of thrombosis. PT did not present significant differences, demonstrating greater sensitivity of TEM in the evaluation of the extrinsic coagulation cascade. The results obtained herein demonstrate that experimental jugular thrombophlebitis leads to local clinical alterations with compromise of tissue as well as of the extrinsic coagulation cascade (EXTEM^® ), but without evidence of a systemic state of hypercoagulability, since there was no increase in the alpha angle or in the maximum clot firmness (MCF).

Conclusion

Taking into consideration that the procedure of thrombosis induction has appreciation and applicability already approved by other authors (Hussni et al. 2006, Hussni et al. 2009, Borghesan 2010, Hussni et al. 2012), we conclude by means of thromboelastometry and of coagulogram that the experimental induction of thrombosis is incapable of provoking systemic hemostatic alterations. Furthermore, thrombectomy does not cause significant hemostatic effects; only significate alterations of aPTT and in thromboelastometry with INTEM^® (CT, CFT and ML) were verified due to antirethrombosis therapy with heparin, without causing a sharp reduction of hematocrit or platelet count.

Acknowledgements

São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP-Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo) process 23467-7/2011 and PROpe - Unesp.

References

• Barbosa R.G., Borghesan A.C., Cerqueira N.F., Hussni C.A., Alves A.L.G., Nicoletti J.L.M. & Fonseca B.P.A. 2009. Fisiopatologia da trombose da veia jugular em eqüinos: revisão. Vet. Zootec. 16(1):26-37.
• Bonagura J.D., Reef V.B. & Schwarzwald C.C. 2010. Cardiovascular disease: vascular disease, p.450-453. In: Reed S.M., Bayly W.M. & Sellon D.C. (Eds), Equine Internal Medicine. Vol.10. 3rd ed. Elsevier Saunders, St Louis.
• Borghesan A. C. 2010. Avaliação da tromboflebite jugular experimental em equinos tratados com heparina. Dissertação de Mestrado em Cirurgia e Anestesiologia Veterinária, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho" , Botucatu. 87p.
• Byars T.D., Davis D. & Divers T.J. 2003. Coagulation in the equine intensive-care patient. Clin. Techn. Eq. Pract. 2(2):178-187.
• Cesarini C., Monreal L., Armengou L., Delgado M.A., Ríos J. & Jose-Cunilleras E. 2014. Progression of plasma D-dimer concentration and coagulopathies during hospitalization in horses with colic. J. Vet. Emerg. Crit. Care 24(6):672-680.
• Dias D.P. & De Lacereda Neto J.C. 2013. Jugular thrombophlebitis in horses: a review of fibrinolysis, thrombus formation, and clinical management. Can. Vet. J. 54(1):65-71.
• Donahue S.M. & Otto C.M. 2005. Thromboelastography: a tool for measuring hypercoagulability, hypocoagulability, and fibrinolysis. J. Vet. Emerg. Crit. Care. 15(1):9-16.
• Dornbusch P.T. 2005. Trombectomia com cateter de Fogarty no tratamento da trombose jugular experimental em equinos. Tese de Doutorado, Departamento de Cirurgia e Anestesiologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Botucatu. 69p.
• Epstein K.L., Brainard B.M., Lopes M.A., Barton M.H. & Moore J.N. 2009. Thrombelastography in 26 healthy horses with and without activation by recombinant human tissue factor. J. Vet. Emerg. Crit. Care 19(1):96-101.
• Grondin T.M. & Dewitt S.F. 2010. Normal hematology of the horse and donkey, p.821-828. In: Weiss D.J. & Wardrop K.J. (Eds), Schalm's Veterinary Hematology. 6th ed. Wiley, Iowa.
• Harvey J.W. 2012. Evaluation of hemostasis: coagulation and platelet disorders, p.191-233. In: Harvey J.W. (Ed.), Veterinary Hematology: a diagnostic guide and color atlas. Elsevier Saunders, Missouri.
• Hussni C.A., Barbosa R.G., Borghesan A.C., Rollo H.A., Alves A.L.G., Watanabe M.J., Machado V.M.V. & Cerqueira N.F. 2012. Aspectos clínicos, ultra-sonográficos e venográficos da tromboflebite jugular experimental em equinos. Pesq. Vet. Bras. 32:595-600.
• Hussni C.A., Dornbusch P.T., Alves A.L.G., Thomassian A., Nicoletti J.L.M., Cillo G.P. & Vulcano L.C. 2006. Avaliação clínica e angiográfica da vascularização consecutiva à ressecção experimental da jugular em equinos. Vet. Zootec. 13(2):163-168.
• Hussni C.A., Dornbusch P.T., Yoshida W.B., Alves A.L.G., Nicoletti J.L.M., Mamprim M.J. & Vulcano L.C. 2009. Trombectomia com cateter de Fogarty no tratamento da tromboflebite jugular experimental em eqüinos. Pesq. Vet. Bras. 29:45-51.
• Irniger W. 1963. Histologische Altersbestimmung von Thrombosen und Embolien. Virchows Archiv für Pathologische Anatomie und Physiologie und für klinische Medizin 336(3):220-237.
• Kol A. & Borjesson D.L. 2010. Application of thrombelastography/thromboelastometry to veterinary medicine. Vet. Clin. Pathol. 39(4):405-416.
• Lassen E.D. & Swardson C.J. 1995. Hematology and hemostasis in the horse: normal functions and common abnormalities. Vet. Clin. North Am., Equine Pract. 11(3):351-389.
• Linkins L.A. 2015. Heparin induced thrombocytopenia. Brit. Med. J. 350. Disponível em <http://www.bmj.com/bmj/350/bmj.g7566.full.pdf >
  » http://www.bmj.com/bmj/350/bmj.g7566.full.pdf
• Maffei F.H.A., Lastória S., Yoshida W.B., Rollo H.A., Mariangela G. & Moura R. 2008. Doenças Vasculares Periféricas. 4ª ed. Guanabara Koogan, Rio de Janeiro.
• Magdesian K.G. & Southwood L. 2014. Monitoring. (Apud Southwood L. & Wilkins P.A. Equine Emergency and Critical Care Medicine 1(2):623-651).
• Mahaffey E.A. & Moore J.N. 1986. Erythrocyte agglutination associated with heparin treatment in three horses. J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc. 189:1478-1480.
• McCrath D.J., Cerboni E., Frumento R.J., Hirsh A.L. & Bennett-Guerrero E. 2005. Thromboelastography maximum amplitude predicts postoperative thrombotic complications including myocardial infarction. Anesth. Analg. 100(6):1576-1583.
• Mendez-Angulo J.L., Mudge M.C, Vilar-Saavedra P., Stingle N. & Couto C.G. 2010. Thromboelastography in healthy horses and horses with inflammatory gastrointestinal disorders and suspected coagulopathies. J. Vet. Emerg. Crit. Care 20(5):488-493.
• Mitchell R.N. 2013. Hemodynamic disorders, thromboembolism, and shock, p.79-92. In: Kumar V., Abbas A.K. & Aster J.C. (Eds), Robbins Basic Pathology. 9th ed. Elsevier Saunders, Philadelphia.
• Moore B.R. & Hinchcliff K.W. 1994. Heparin: a review of its pharmacology and therapeutic use in horses. J. Vet. Intern. Med. 8(1):26-35.
• Pavanelli M.F. & Spitzner F.L. 2011. Trombocitopenia induzida por heparina: revisão de literatura. UNOPAR Científica: Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde 13:325-332.
• Rafael L.A. 2012. Avaliação do efeito trombogênico da perfusão regional intravenosa com gentamicina em equinos. Dissertação de Mestrado, em Cirurgia e Anestesiologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Estadual "Julio de Mesquita Filho", Botucatu, SP. 98p.
• Reikvam H., Steien E., Hauge B., Liseth K., Hagen K.G., Størkson R. & Hervig T. 2009. Thrombelastography. Transf. Apheresis Sci. 40(2):119-123.
• Sellon D.C. & Wise L.N. 2009. Disorders of the hematopoietic system, p.730-776. In: Reed S.M., Bayly W.M. & Sellon D.C. (Eds), Equine Internal Medicine. 3rd ed. Elsevier Health Sciences, St Louis.
• Stokol T., Erb H.N., De Wilde L., Tornquist S.J. & Brooks M. 2005. Evaluation of latex agglutination kits for detection of fibrin(ogen) degradation products and D-dimer in healthy horses and horses with severe colic. Vet. Clin. Pathol. 34(4):375-382.
• Wiinberg B. & Kristensen A.T. 2010. Thromboelastography in veterinary medicine. Semin. Thromb. Hemost. 36(7):747-756.

• 5
  Sedomin®, Fort Dodge, Campinas, Brazil
• 6
  Lidocaine chlorhydrate 2%® Brasmed, Minas Gerais, Brazil
• 7
  DeBakey®, Geister, Germany
• 8
  Glucose 50%, Isofarma, Eusébio-CE
• 9
  JP Pharmaceutical Company S.A.
• 10
  Vicril®, Ethicon, Johnsons & Johnsons, São José dos Campos/SP, Brazil
• 11
  JP®, Ribeirão Preto/SP, Brazil
• 12
  Pentabiótico Reforçado® 8,4gr - Fort Dodge Ltda, Belo Horizonte/MG, Brazil
• 13
  Sedazine - Fort Dodge Fort Dodge Ltda, São José do Rio Preto/SP, Brazil
• 14
  Diazepam União® - União Química, Embu-Guaçu/SP, Brazil
• 15
  Dopalen®, Vetbrands, Jacareí/SP, Brazil
• 16
  Éter Gliceril Guaiacol® - E.H.G Agrofarma, Mogi Mirim/SP, Brazil
• 17
  Isoforine®, Cristália Produtos Químicos Farmacêuticos Ltda, Itapira/SP, Brazil
• 18
  Umbilical tape, Johnson & Johnson Ltda
• 19
  Catheter of Fogarty 7F®, Edwards lifesciences Macchi Ltda
• 20
  Prolene®, Johnson & Johnson Ltda
• 21
  Sodium Heparin®, Billi Farmacêutica Ltda, Santo Amaro, SP, Brazil
• 22
  Riohex clorexidina 0.5%® - E.H.G. Agrofarma, Mogi Mirim/SP, Brazil
• 23
  Vacutainer® BD, Brazil
• 24
  Rotem®, Delta, Pentapham, Munich, Germany
• 25
  Clot®, Sorocaba, Brazil
• 26
  Sysmex®, Poch - 100iV, Miami, United States

Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  Aug 2016

History

• Received
  01 Sept 2015
• Accepted
  24 Mar 2016