Changes of blood lactate levels in dogs during blood transfusion

Abstract

Introduction: Blood lactate level represents global tissue oxygenation, anaerobic metabolism and lactic acidosis. In case of severe anemia blood lactate level increases. Studies investigating hyperlactatemia in dogs with pyometra and gastric dilatation-volvulus have shown a negative correlation between blood lactate concentration and survival rate, but there are no studies done concerning blood transfusion effect on blood lactate changes in dogs. The aim of this study was to determine whether the blood transfusion has an effect on blood lactate level in anemic dogs and how blood lactate levels correlates with HCT, RBC and HGB. Materials and methods. Nineteen client-owned anemic dogs that required whole blood transfusion was included in study group. Blood samples were obtained from cephalic vein into EDTA tubes for blood morphological analysis immediately before blood transfusion (T0), then after the blood transfusion was finished (4 h ± 10 min) (T1) and 24 h ± 10 min after the T0 (T2). After filling of the blood collection tube and release of the stasis, for analysis of blood lactate level a drop of the whole blood without preservative was analysed immediately by the lactate analyzer Lactate Pro® LT-1710 (Arkray Inc., Kyoto, Japan). Morphological blood evaluation was conducted by IDEXX Lasercyte® hematology analyser (IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., Westbrook, Maine, USA) within 5 minutes of samples collection. Results and conclusion. The study showed that the highest (4.67±5.81 mmol/l) level of blood lactate level was before blood transfusion (T0) and indicated highly significant difference p < 0,001 compared with T1 (1.89±0.96) and T2 (1.71±1.08) (normal level 2.5 mmol/l). The results also showed a moderate negative correlation between blood lactate level and HCT, RBC and HGB and highly significant difference (p < 0,001) of HCT and RBC changes. We concluded that blood transfusion have an effect on decreased. [...].