title: Retrospective evaluation of the effectiveness of epsilon aminocaproic acid for the prevention of postamputation bleeding in retired racing Greyhounds with appendicular bone tumors: 46 cases (2003-2008).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the frequency of delayed postoperative bleeding in retired racing Greyhounds with appendicular bone tumors undergoing limb amputations. To identify if administration of epsilon-aminocaproic acid (EACA) was effective on the prevention of postoperative bleeding.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective study from December 2003 to December 2008.
  
  
  METHODS
  Veterinary university teaching hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-six retired racing Greyhounds (RRGs) diagnosed with primary appendicular bone tumors that underwent limb amputation were included in the study.
  
  
  METHODS
  None.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirteen of 46 RRGs (28%) included in the study had delayed postoperative bleeding starting 48-72 h after surgery. Bleeding episodes included cutaneous, subcutaneous, and external bleeding that extended from the area of the surgical site that became widespread within hours, and that required administration of blood components. A paired t-test suggests that there was a significant decrease in PCV postoperatively for both dogs that bled and dogs that did not bleed (P < 0.0001). Forty of 46 RRGs (86%) received either fresh frozen plasma (FFP) or EACA or both, for the prevention of postoperative bleeding. A logistic regression model determined that dogs that did not receive EACA were 5.7 times more likely to bleed than dogs that did receive EACA, when controlling for whether or not they received FFP (95% CI: 1.02-32.15, P = 0.047).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This retrospective study suggests that preemptive postoperative administration of EACA appears to be efficacious in decreasing the frequency of bleeding in RRGs undergoing limb amputation; however, a prospective study is warranted to corroborate its effectiveness.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
authors.forename: Liliana M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Marín
authors.forename: M Cristina
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Iazbik
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zaldivar-Lopez
authors.forename: Linda K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Lord
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Stingle
authors.forename: Paulo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vilar
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lara-Garcia
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Alvarez
authors.forename: Kenji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hosoya
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pozzi
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.forename: Mary A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: McLoughlin
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ball
authors.forename: William C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Kisseberth
authors.forename: Cheryl A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: London
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dudley
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dyce
authors.forename: Melanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McMahon
authors.forename: Phillip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lerche
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bednarski
authors.forename: C Guillermo
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Couto
mesh_terms: D015119:Aminocaproic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D000933:Antifibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000601:surgery; D004285:Dogs; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D012516:Osteosarcoma / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D000933:Antifibrinolytic Agents; D015119:Aminocaproic Acid