title: Comparison of venous sampling methods for thromboelastography in clinically normal dogs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate effects of blood collection method and site on results of thromboelastography in healthy dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  8 clinically normal purpose-bred dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Blood was collected from the external jugular vein by syringe aspiration via direct venipuncture with a 20-gauge needle, through a central venous catheter, or into an evacuated tube with a 21-gauge winged needle catheter. Blood was collected from the lateral saphenous vein by syringe aspiration via direct venipuncture with a 20-gauge needle or into an evacuated tube with a 21-gauge winged needle catheter. Kaolin-activated thromboelastographic analyses were performed, and R (reaction time), K (clot formation time), α angle, maximal amplitude, and G (global clot strength) were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant differences were observed with regard to sampling site. Sample collection method had no effect on thromboelastographic results for saphenous vein samples. Blood samples collected from the jugular vein by syringe aspiration had a lower R and K and higher α angle than did blood samples collected from the jugular vein by evacuated tube collection. Significant differences were observed between blood samples collected from the jugular vein by syringe aspiration and samples collected from the saphenous vein by evacuated tube collection and between samples collected from the saphenous vein by evacuated tube collection and samples collected from the jugular vein through a central venous catheter.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Different sampling methods resulted in small but significant differences in thromboelastographic values. Results justify the use of standardized techniques for research purposes, but all of these sampling methods were acceptable for 1-time clinical use.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA.
authors.forename: Julie M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: Rita M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Hanel
authors.forename: Bernard D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.forename: Alison A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Motsinger-Reif
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000502:physiology*; D004285:Dogs / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D018962:Phlebotomy / Q000379:methods* / Q000662:veterinary; D013916:Thrombelastography / Q000379:methods* / Q000662:veterinary