Name
Effect of Body Temperature and Anesthesia on Viscoelastography of Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)
Speakers
Description
Viscoelastography is a method of assessing coagulation; e.g., clot kinetics, strength, and fibrinolysis. Although thromboelastography reference intervals have been established in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), the use of the Viscoelastic Coagulation Monitor (VCM VetTM; Entegrion Corp.) is understudied in this species. This study evaluated the impact of anesthesia and body temperature on VCM VetTM parameters. Ten approximately 4-month-old, intact male New Zealand white rabbits were anesthetized as part of a randomized, complete crossover study. Each rabbit was anesthetized twice (7 days apart), with or without a heated anesthesia circuit (Heated ZDS Qube, Darvall). Lateral saphenous venipuncture was performed within 5 (baseline) and at 50 minutes (T50) post-anesthetic induction. Fresh whole blood was immediately tested using a single VCM VetTM unit, providing two tracings per anesthetic event. Statistical analysis was performed using a linear mixed model with significance at <0.05 using R (v 4.3.3). All rabbits were healthy based on physical examination, hematology, biochemistry, prothrombin time, and activated partial thromboplastin time. All rabbits were normothermic (100.4-104ºF) at baseline, and all rectal temperatures were lower at T50 compared to baseline (median 2.8ºF, range 1.3-3.8ºF). There was no statistically significant difference in any clot parameter between baseline and T50. There were statistical differences in clot parameters between anesthetic events with a heated circuit compared to those without a heated circuit. Based on these findings, anesthesia and body temperature did not appear to impact viscoelastography assessment. The parameters reported here may be of clinical use until reference intervals in awake rabbits are published.
Session Type
Lecture (25 Min)