Epsilon aminocaproic acid for the prevention of delayed postoperative bleeding in retired racing greyhounds undergoing gonadectomy.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of epsilon aminocaproic acid (EACA) on the prevalence of postoperative bleeding in retired racing Greyhounds (RRG), and to assess its effects on selected thrombelastography (TEG) and fibrinolysis variables.


METHODS
Double-blinded, prospective, randomized study.


METHODS
100 RRG had elective ovariohysterectomy or orchiectomy and were administered EACA or placebo for 3 days after surgery. TEG variables were analyzed preoperatively and 24, 48, and 72 hours after surgery.


RESULTS
Thirty percent (15/50) of RRG in the placebo group had delayed postoperative bleeding starting 36-48 hours after surgery compared with 10% (5/50) in the EACA group (P = .012). On the TEG variables, the slopes for R and K time were significantly different between treatment groups (P <.05); the R and K time decreased over time in the EACA group after surgery whereas they increased in the placebo group. The angle, maximal amplitude (MA), and G slopes were also significantly different between treatment groups (P = .001, .001, and .006, respectively). The angle, MA, and G increased postoperatively over time in the EACA group and decreased in the placebo group. All these changes are supportive of hypercoagulability associated with EACA administration.


CONCLUSIONS
Postoperative administration of EACA significantly decreased the prevalence of postoperative bleeding in RRG undergoing surgery by increasing the clot strength.
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA. marin.25@osu.edu
Liliana M
LM
Marín
M Cristina
MC
Iazbik
Sara
S
Zaldivar-Lopez
Julien
J
Guillaumin
Mary A
MA
McLoughlin
C Guillermo
CG
Couto
D015119:Aminocaproic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004285:Dogs; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006490:Hemostatics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007044:Hysterectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D009919:Orchiectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000662:veterinary*; D010052:Ovariectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000662:veterinary*; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D012307:Risk Factors
D006490:Hemostatics; D015119:Aminocaproic Acid