Determination of lactate concentrations in blood plasma and peritoneal fluid in horses with colic by an Accusport analyzer.
BACKGROUND
Intestinal hypoperfusion can lead to increased lactate concentrations in plasma and peritoneal fluid of horses with colic.


OBJECTIVE
The purposes of this study were to (1) evaluate the reliability of the Accusport analyzer to assess peritoneal fluid lactate (PFL) concentrations in healthy horses and those with colic, (2) identify clinical features associated with abnormal blood plasma lactate (BPL) and PFL concentrations, and (3) evaluate the prognostic value of BPL and PFL.


METHODS
BPL and PFL were determined in 20 healthy horses and in 106 horses with colic.


RESULTS
The Accusport was reliable for determining BPL concentrations < 13 mM and PFL concentrations < 20 mM. Multivariate analysis indicated that PCV and the need for intestinal resection were independently associated with the BPL; pulse, PCV, venous pO2, the presence of necrotic intestine, an increased amount of peritoneal fluid, and fluid total protein content were independently associated with PFL. With a 1 mM increase in BPL or PFL, the respective odds ratios for required abdominal surgery increase to 1.23 (BPL) and 1.58 (PFL), odds ratios for a required intestinal resection increase to 1.20 (BPL) and 1.41 (PFL), and odds ratios for developing ileus increase by 1.33 (BPL) and 1.36 (PFL). PFL concentrations of 1, 6, 12, and 16 mM correspond to a probability of death of 11, 29, 63, and 82%, respectively, in horses without strangulating obstruction and of 25, 52, 82, and 92%, respectively, in horses with strangulating obstruction.


CONCLUSIONS
PFL is more useful and sensitive than BPL for prognostic purposes in horses with colic.
Delesalle
Cathérine
C
Department of Large Animal Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium. Catherine.Delesalle@UGent.be
Dewulf
Jeroen
J
Lefebvre
Romain A
RA
Schuurkes
Jan A J
JA
Proot
Joachim
J
Lefere
Laurence
L
Deprez
Piet
P
D000818:Animals; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000662:veterinary*; D003085:Colic / Q000378:metabolism / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000378:metabolism*; D006736:Horses; D007773:Lactates / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male
D015415:Biomarkers; D007773:Lactates