title: Heparinase-modified thromboelastography in cats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Evaluation of underlying hemostatic function is challenging when feline patients are receiving an anticoagulant medication. Discontinuing the anticoagulant to obtain accurate results for hemostatic testing may lead to thrombotic complications. The addition of heparinase to blood samples may mitigate the effects of exogenous heparin and allow hemostatic testing.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tissue factor (TF)-activated thromboelastography (TEG) was performed using citrated whole blood from 19 cats. Assays were performed using citrated whole blood, with and without addition of unfractionated heparin to a concentration of 0.2 U/mL. For each blood sample, TEG assays were performed using a standard cup and a heparinase-coated cup.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For TEG variables R, k, α-angle, and MA, mean values were not statistically different when citrated blood was used with standard or heparinase-coated cups. Heparinized blood assayed in standard cups displayed a significantly increased R and k, and significantly decreased α-angle and MA when compared to heparinized blood assayed in heparinase-coated cups. TEG variables for heparinized blood assayed in heparinase cups was not statistically different from those of the citrated whole blood without added heparin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Heparinase modified, TF-activated, TEG reverses heparin effects in feline-citrated blood.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, St Hyacinthe, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Benoît
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cuq
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, St Hyacinthe, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Marilyn E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Dunn
authors.affiliation: the Department Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, St Hyacinthe, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bédard
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001777:Blood Coagulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D001780:Blood Coagulation Tests / Q000662:veterinary; D002415:Cats; D005260:Female; D019763:Heparin Lyase / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D013916:Thrombelastography / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D019763:Heparin Lyase
keywords: feline; hemostasis; heparin; viscoelastic coagulation analysis