Abstract
Objective This study aimed to document rotational thromboelastometric (ROTEM) characteristics
of traumatized cats and to investigate associations between clinicopathological parameters
and acute traumatic coagulopathy (ATC). A secondary goal was to determine the relevance
of autoheparinization in injured cats.
Study Design Cats presenting with acute (<12 hours) trauma were eligible. Cats were allocated
to the ATC group (≥2 hypocoagulable parameters) or non-ATC group (≤1 hypocoagulable
parameter) based on ROTEM analysis. Clinicopathological parameters were compared between
groups and regression was used to find variables associated with ATC. Heparinase-modified
ROTEM (HepTEM) was used to assess for heparin effects in a subgroup.
Results Fifty-three cats were included, and the incidence of ATC was 15%. Prolongation of
both intrinsic and extrinsic clotting times (CT) was the most frequently altered ROTEM
variable in the ATC group, but CTInTEM-prolongation also occurred in 47% of non-ATC cats. The incidence of autoheparinization,
defined as concurrent CTInTEM prolongation and CTInTEM:HepTEM ratio >1.1, was 41% and was observed in both cats with and without ATC. None of the
evaluated clinicopathological parameters were different between groups or associated
with ATC.
Conclusion Acute traumatic coagulopathy in cats is mainly characterized by prolonged CT. No
relationship between clinicopathological variables and ATC was identified and prediction
of ATC based on these variables was not possible. While autoheparinization is important
in cats, it is not the sole cause for ATC.
Keywords
coagulation - ROTEM - trauma - autoheparinization - cat
