title: Risk factors for perioperative death in dogs undergoing splenectomy for splenic masses: 539 cases (2001-2012).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the perioperative mortality rate, causes of death, and risk factors for perioperative death in dogs undergoing splenectomy for splenic mass lesions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  539 dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical records of dogs that underwent splenectomy for known splenic masses were reviewed. Perioperative mortality rate and causes of death were determined. Associations between potential prognostic factors and perioperative death were evaluated by multivariable logistic regression analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  41 of 539 (7.6%) dogs died during the perioperative period. Thrombotic and coagulopathic syndromes and uncontrolled bleeding from metastatic lesions were the most common causes of death. Of the variables selected for multivariable analysis, platelet count at admission, whether PCV at admission was < 30%, and development of ventricular arrhythmias during surgery were significantly associated with outcome. For each decrease in platelet count of 10,000 platelets/μL, odds of death increased by approximately 6%. For dogs with PCV < 30%, odds of death were approximately twice those for dogs with PCV ≥ 30%, and for dogs that developed intraoperative arrhythmias, odds of death were approximately twice those for dogs that did not.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Marked preoperative thrombocytopenia or anemia and development of intraoperative ventricular arrhythmias were identified as risk factors for perioperative death in dogs with splenic masses. The risk of death may be limited by efforts to prevent thrombotic and coagulopathic syndromes and to control all sources of intra-abdominal hemorrhage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA 01536.
authors.forename: Kristin M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Wendelburg
authors.forename: Therese E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: O'Toole
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: McCobb
authors.forename: Lori Lyn
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Price
authors.forename: Jeremiah A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Lyons
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Berg
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001778:Blood Coagulation Disorders / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D004285:Dogs; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary; D059035:Perioperative Period; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000662:veterinary*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013160:Splenic Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary