Correlation of plasma coagulation tests and fibrinogen Clauss with rotational thromboelastometry parameters and prediction of bleeding in dogs

Abstract

Background: Correlation of plasma fibrinogen concentration (fibrinogen Clauss ) with rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) parameters has not been investigated in dogs. Objectives: To determine the correlation between plasma coagulation tests and fibrinogen Clauss with ROTEM parameters and to evaluate their ability to predict bleeding in dogs. Animals: Ninety-seven dogs with concurrent determination of fibrinogen Clauss and fibrin polymerization test (FIBTEM) analysis. Methods: Signalment, pretreatment, clinical signs of bleeding, fibrinogen Clauss , plasma coagulation test results, hematocrit, platelet count, FIBTEM, extrinsic (EXTEM) and intrinsic (INTEM) activated ROTEM assays were retrieved retrospectively. Correlations between fibrinogen Clauss and FIBTEM maximum clot firmness (MCF FIBTEM ) and between prothrombin time (PT) or activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and ROTEM parameters were determined. Dogs were further assigned to groups with or without clinical signs of bleeding. The prognostic significance of significantly different parameters to predict bleeding was evaluated. Results: Fibrinogen Clauss showed strong correlation with MCF FIBTEM (r = 0.860, n = 97, P 149 seconds was 100% sensitive to detect bleeding. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: The MCF FIBTEM can be used to evaluate the effect of fibrinogen on hemostasis as an alternative to determination of fibrinogen Clauss . In addition, CT EXTEM and CT INTEM are strongly correlated with PT and aPTT, respectively.