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Abstract Background Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) has been used increasingly to treat immunological diseases in dogs, although data concerning its efficacy are lacking. Hypothesis/Objectives To describe the clinic and the outcome of dogs with immune‐mediated hematological disorders (IMHD) treated with membrane filtration TPE. Animals One hundred forty‐six dogs diagnosed with IMHD, including 17 dogs treated with and 129 control dogs treated without TPE. Methods Retrospective study of cases selected with a search of all medical records for dogs diagnosed with IMHD (2010‐2019). Primary outcomes included the assessment of safety and efficacy of adjunctive TPE compared to medical treatment alone. Results The TPE group included 7 dogs with immune‐mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA), 5 dogs with immune‐mediated thrombocytopenia (IMT), and 5 dogs with combined IMHA‐IMT; the control group included 63 dogs with IMHA, 47 dogs with IMT, and 19 dogs with IMHA‐IMT. Dogs treated with TPE were more often refractory to initial immunosuppression (71%) than controls (43%; P = .04). Complications were observed in 15/43 TPE treatments (35%). The response rate of dogs treated with TPE was 83% in IMHA (controls, 65%; P = .5) and 80% in IMT (controls, 70%; P = .71). Overall, 12/17 dogs (71%) treated with TPE reached complete remission, 2/17 (12%) partial remission, and 3/17 (18%) died or were euthanized. Eighty‐two percent of the dogs treated with TPE survived to discharge (controls, 69%; P = .4). Conclusions and Clinical Importance Despite a bias toward dogs refractory to initial immunosuppression, dogs treated with adjunctive TPE had a similar outcome as dogs treated medically.

Abstract Background Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is used increasingly in small animals to remove circulating large molecular products such as antibodies, pathogenic proteins, and protein‐bound toxins. Specific, efficient, and safe protocols need to be developed. Hypothesis/Objectives To describe the technique of membrane‐based TPE, the resulting physiological and metabolic changes, and to define an adequate regional citrate anticoagulation protocol. Animals Thirty‐four dogs treated with TPE (2011‐2017). Methods Retrospective review of all TPE treatments performed at the Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, identified through a search of the institutional database for extracorporeal treatments. Results Sixty‐four treatments were performed, resulting in 1.0 plasma volume exchange (range, 0.4‐1.1). Replacement fluids included fresh frozen plasma (12%‐100% volume), colloids (0%‐52%), human albumin (0%‐41%), and saline (0%‐70%). Anticoagulation was performed with regional citrate (n = 24), systemic heparinization (n = 2), or combined (n = 38). Main relevant laboratory changes included a 24.7% decrease in total proteins (interquartile range, 16.7‐31.4; P

Background: Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) has been used increasingly to treat immunological diseases in dogs, although data concerning its efficacy are lacking. Hypothesis/Objectives: To describe the clinic and the outcome of dogs with immune‐mediated hematological disorders (IMHD) treated with membrane filtration TPE. Animals One hundred forty‐six dogs diagnosed with IMHD, including 17 dogs treated with and 129 control dogs treated without TPE. Methods: Retrospective study of cases selected with a search of all medical records for dogs diagnosed with IMHD (2010‐2019). Primary outcomes included the assessment of safety and efficacy of adjunctive TPE compared to medical treatment alone. Results: The TPE group included 7 dogs with immune‐mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA), 5 dogs with immune‐mediated thrombocytopenia (IMT), and 5 dogs with combined IMHA‐IMT; the control group included 63 dogs with IMHA, 47 dogs with IMT, and 19 dogs with IMHA‐IMT. Dogs treated with TPE were more often refractory to initial immunosuppression (71%) than controls (43%; P =.04). Complications were observed in 15/43 TPE treatments (35%). The response rate of dogs treated with TPE was 83% in IMHA (controls, 65%; P =.5) and 80% in IMT (controls, 70%; P =.71). Overall, 12/17 dogs (71%) treated with TPE reached complete remission, 2/17 (12%) partial remission, and 3/17 (18%) died or were euthanized. Eighty‐two percent of the dogs treated with TPE survived to discharge (controls, 69%; P =.4). Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Despite a bias toward dogs refractory to initial immunosuppression, dogs treated with adjunctive TPE had a similar outcome as dogs treated medically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is used increasingly in small animals to remove circulating large molecular products such as antibodies, pathogenic proteins, and protein‐bound toxins. Specific, efficient, and safe protocols need to be developed. Hypothesis/Objectives: To describe the technique of membrane‐based TPE, the resulting physiological and metabolic changes, and to define an adequate regional citrate anticoagulation protocol. Animals: Thirty‐four dogs treated with TPE (2011‐2017). Methods: Retrospective review of all TPE treatments performed at the Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, identified through a search of the institutional database for extracorporeal treatments. Results: Sixty‐four treatments were performed, resulting in 1.0 plasma volume exchange (range, 0.4‐1.1). Replacement fluids included fresh frozen plasma (12%‐100% volume), colloids (0%‐52%), human albumin (0%‐41%), and saline (0%‐70%). Anticoagulation was performed with regional citrate (n = 24), systemic heparinization (n = 2), or combined (n = 38). Main relevant laboratory changes included a 24.7% decrease in total proteins (interquartile range, 16.7‐31.4; P < .001), 53% in fibrinogen (−30 to 63; P =.009), 36% in bilirubin (13‐43, P =.02), 9.0% in urea (0.7‐15.7; P < .001), and 4.5% in creatinine (−6.6 to 10.6; P =.006). Citrate accumulation was evidenced in all dogs, more pronounced in those with renal but not with hepatic impairment. Maximal tolerable citrate rates were estimated as 5.5 and 9.0 μmol/kg/min for treatments in dogs with and without renal impairment, respectively. Complications were observed in 22 treatments (34%) and were fatal in 2 dogs. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Therapeutic plasma exchange causes metabolic and biochemical alterations. Understanding these effects makes possible to anticipate most complications and to improve safety of the procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The traditional systemic heparinization used for anticoagulation in extracorporeal therapies may cause fatal complications in animals at risk of bleeding. Hypothesis/Objectives: To develop and validate a protocol of regional citrate anticoagulation (RCA) for intermittent hemodialysis in dogs. Animals: A total of 172 dogs treated with hemodialysis for acute kidney injury. Methods: In vitro titration was performed, adding trisodium citrate and calcium chloride to heparinized canine blood. A tentative protocol was used first in 66 treatments with additional heparinization and subsequently in 518 heparin‐free treatments. Safety and adequacy of RCA were assessed based on clinical and laboratory monitoring, dialyzer pressure gradient, treatment completion, and visual scoring of the extracorporeal circuit. Results: Addition of 1 mmol/L citrate to heparinized blood decreased the ionized calcium concentration by 0.23 mmol/L (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.16–0.30) and 1 mmol/L calcium increased it by 0.62 mmol/L (95% CI, 0.45–0.79). Heparin‐free treatments were initiated with infusion of trisodium citrate (102 mmol/L) at 2.55 mmol/L blood and calcium chloride (340 mmol/L) at 0.85 mmol/L. Citrate and calcium administrations were adjusted in 27 and 34% of the treatments, respectively. Overall, anticoagulation was satisfactory in 92% of the treatments, with expected azotemia reduction in 95% (urea) and 86% (creatinine), stable dialyzer pressure gradient in 82%, and clean extracorporeal circuits in 92% of the treatments. Eighteen treatments (3.5%) were discontinued prematurely, 9 because of clotting and 9 for reasons unrelated to the RCA procedure. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Regional citrate anticoagulation allows safe and efficient heparin‐free hemodialysis in dogs at risk of bleeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]