Indications, management, and outcome of long-term positive-pressure ventilation in dogs and cats: 148 cases (1990-2001).
OBJECTIVE
To determine outcome of positive-pressure ventilation (PPV) for 24 hours or longer and identify factors associated with successful weaning from PPV and survival to hospital discharge in dogs and cats.


METHODS
Retrospective case series.


METHODS
124 dogs and 24 cats that received PPV for 24 hours or longer.


METHODS
Medical records were reviewed for signalment, primary diagnosis, reason for initiating PPV, measures of oxygenation and ventilation before and during PPV, ventilator settings, complications, duration of PPV, and outcome. Animals were categorized into 1 of 3 groups on the basis of the reason for PPV.


RESULTS
Group 1 patients received PPV for inadequate oxygenation (67 dogs and 6 cats), group 2 for inadequate ventilation (46 dogs and 16 cats), and group 3 for inadequate oxygenation and ventilation (11 dogs and 2 cats). Of the group 1 animals, 36% (26/73) were weaned from PPV and 22% (16/73) survived to hospital discharge. In group 2, 50% (31/62) were weaned from PPV and 39% (24/62) survived to hospital discharge. In group 3, 3 of 13 were weaned from PPV and 1 of 13 survived to hospital discharge. Likelihood of successful weaning and survival to hospital discharge were significantly higher for group 2 animals, and cats had a significantly lower likelihood of successful weaning from PPV, compared with dogs. Median duration of PPV was 48 hours (range, 24 to 356 hours) and was not associated with outcome.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggested that long-term PPV is practical and successful in dogs and cats.
Hopper
Kate
K
Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
Haskins
Steve C
SC
Kass
Philip H
PH
Rezende
Marlis L
ML
Aldrich
Janet
J
D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D002415:Cats; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D008297:Male; D011175:Positive-Pressure Respiration / Q000379:methods / Q000401:mortality / Q000662:veterinary*; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D015996:Survival Rate; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome