title: Arterial thromboembolism in cats: acute crisis in 127 cases (1992-2001) and long-term management with low-dose aspirin in 24 cases.
abstract: Records of 127 cats with arterial thromboembolism (ATE) were reviewed. Abyssinian, Birman, Ragdoll, and male cats were overrepresented. Tachypnea (91%), hypothermia (66%), and absent limb motor function (66%) were common. Of 90 cats with diagnostics performed, underlying diseases were hyperthyroidism (12), cardiomyopathy (dilated [8], unclassified [33], hypertrophic obstructive [5], hypertrophic [19]), neoplasia (6), other (4), and none (3). Common abnormalities were left atrial enlargement (93%), congestive heart failure (CHF, 44%), and arrhythmias (44%). Of cats without CHF, 89% were tachypneic. Common biochemical abnormalities were hyperglycemia, azotemia, and abnormally high serum concentrations of muscle enzymes. Of 87 cats treated for acute limb ATE, 39 (45%) survived to be discharged. Significant differences were found between survivors and nonsurvivors for temperature (P < .00001), heart rate (P = .038), serum phosphorus concentration (P = .024), motor function (P = .008), and number of limbs affected (P = .001). No significant difference was found between survivors and nonsurvivors when compared by age, respiratory rate, other biochemical analytes, or concurrent CHE A logistic regression model based on rectal temperature predicted a 50% probability of survival at 98.9 degrees F (37.2 degrees C). Median survival time (MST) for discharged cats was 117 days. Eleven cats had ATE recurrences, and 5 cats developed limb problems. Cats with CHF (MST: 77 days) had significantly shorter survival than cats without CHF (MST: 223 days; P = .016). No significant difference was found in survival or recurrence rate between cats receiving high-dose aspirin (> or = 40 mg/cat q72h) and cats receiving low-dose aspirin (5 mg/cat q72h). Adverse effects were less frequent and milder for the lower dosage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Minnesota, St Paul, MN 55108, USA.
authors.forename: Stephanie A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Anthony H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Tobias
authors.forename: Kristin A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Jacob
authors.forename: Deborah M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Fine
authors.forename: Pamela L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Grumbles
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000818:Animals; D001241:Aspirin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology; D002415:Cats; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011379:Prognosis; D012008:Recurrence; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D001241:Aspirin