Catheter‐associated venous air embolism in hospitalized horses: 32 cases
Background Venous air embolism is a potentially life‐threatening complication of IV catheter use in horses. Despite widespread anecdotal reports of their occurrence, few cases have been reported in the literature and the prognosis is currently unknown. Hypothesis/Objectives Our objective was to desc...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2018-03-01
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| Series: | Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.15057 |
| _version_ | 1819260393344729088 |
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| author | Nicholas J. Parkinson Harold C. McKenzie Michelle H. Barton Jennifer L. Davis Bettina Dunkel Amy L. Johnson Elizabeth S. MacDonald |
| author_facet | Nicholas J. Parkinson Harold C. McKenzie Michelle H. Barton Jennifer L. Davis Bettina Dunkel Amy L. Johnson Elizabeth S. MacDonald |
| author_sort | Nicholas J. Parkinson |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background Venous air embolism is a potentially life‐threatening complication of IV catheter use in horses. Despite widespread anecdotal reports of their occurrence, few cases have been reported in the literature and the prognosis is currently unknown. Hypothesis/Objectives Our objective was to describe the surrounding circumstances, clinical signs, treatment, progression, and outcome of venous air embolism in hospitalized horses. Animals Thirty‐two horses with acute onset of compatible clinical signs associated with IV catheter disconnection or damage. Methods Multicenter retrospective study. Data extracted from clinical records included signalment, presenting complaint, catheter details, clinical signs, treatments, and outcome. Results Most cases resulted from extension set disconnection occurring within approximately 24 hours after catheter placement. In fewer horses, extension set damage was cited as a cause. Common clinical signs included tachycardia, tachypnea, recumbency, muscle fasciculations and agitation, with abnormal behavior including kicking and flank biting. Less commonly, pathological arrhythmias or more severe neurologic signs, including blindness and seizures, were noted. Progression was unpredictable, with some affected horses developing delayed‐onset neurologic signs. Mortality was 6/32 (19%), including 2 cases of sudden death and other horses euthanized because of persistent neurologic deficits. Negative outcomes were more common in horses with recorded blindness, sweating or recumbency, but blindness resolved in 5/8 affected horses. Conclusions and Clinical Importance The prognosis for resolution of clinical signs after air embolism is fair, but permanent neurologic deficits or pathologic cardiac arrhythmias can arise. Unpredictable progression warrants close monitoring. Systematic clinic‐based surveillance could provide additional useful information to aid prevention. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-23T19:25:11Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-7f94a95b78df4f21be42a15baf667e9d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0891-6640 1939-1676 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-23T19:25:11Z |
| publishDate | 2018-03-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine |
| spelling | doaj.art-7f94a95b78df4f21be42a15baf667e9d2022-12-21T17:34:03ZengWileyJournal of Veterinary Internal Medicine0891-66401939-16762018-03-0132280581410.1111/jvim.15057Catheter‐associated venous air embolism in hospitalized horses: 32 casesNicholas J. Parkinson0Harold C. McKenzie1Michelle H. Barton2Jennifer L. Davis3Bettina Dunkel4Amy L. Johnson5Elizabeth S. MacDonald6Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary MedicineBlacksburg VirginiaVirginia Maryland College of Veterinary MedicineBlacksburg VirginiaUniversity of Georgia College of Veterinary MedicineAthens GeorgiaVirginia Maryland College of Veterinary MedicineBlacksburg VirginiaThe Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead LaneHatfield Hertfordshire United KingdomNew Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary MedicineKennett Square PennsylvaniaMarion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center, Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary MedicineLeesburg VirginiaBackground Venous air embolism is a potentially life‐threatening complication of IV catheter use in horses. Despite widespread anecdotal reports of their occurrence, few cases have been reported in the literature and the prognosis is currently unknown. Hypothesis/Objectives Our objective was to describe the surrounding circumstances, clinical signs, treatment, progression, and outcome of venous air embolism in hospitalized horses. Animals Thirty‐two horses with acute onset of compatible clinical signs associated with IV catheter disconnection or damage. Methods Multicenter retrospective study. Data extracted from clinical records included signalment, presenting complaint, catheter details, clinical signs, treatments, and outcome. Results Most cases resulted from extension set disconnection occurring within approximately 24 hours after catheter placement. In fewer horses, extension set damage was cited as a cause. Common clinical signs included tachycardia, tachypnea, recumbency, muscle fasciculations and agitation, with abnormal behavior including kicking and flank biting. Less commonly, pathological arrhythmias or more severe neurologic signs, including blindness and seizures, were noted. Progression was unpredictable, with some affected horses developing delayed‐onset neurologic signs. Mortality was 6/32 (19%), including 2 cases of sudden death and other horses euthanized because of persistent neurologic deficits. Negative outcomes were more common in horses with recorded blindness, sweating or recumbency, but blindness resolved in 5/8 affected horses. Conclusions and Clinical Importance The prognosis for resolution of clinical signs after air embolism is fair, but permanent neurologic deficits or pathologic cardiac arrhythmias can arise. Unpredictable progression warrants close monitoring. Systematic clinic‐based surveillance could provide additional useful information to aid prevention.https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.15057arrhythmiacentral blindnesscerebral infarctembolismhorse |
| spellingShingle | Nicholas J. Parkinson Harold C. McKenzie Michelle H. Barton Jennifer L. Davis Bettina Dunkel Amy L. Johnson Elizabeth S. MacDonald Catheter‐associated venous air embolism in hospitalized horses: 32 cases Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine arrhythmia central blindness cerebral infarct embolism horse |
| title | Catheter‐associated venous air embolism in hospitalized horses: 32 cases |
| title_full | Catheter‐associated venous air embolism in hospitalized horses: 32 cases |
| title_fullStr | Catheter‐associated venous air embolism in hospitalized horses: 32 cases |
| title_full_unstemmed | Catheter‐associated venous air embolism in hospitalized horses: 32 cases |
| title_short | Catheter‐associated venous air embolism in hospitalized horses: 32 cases |
| title_sort | catheter associated venous air embolism in hospitalized horses 32 cases |
| topic | arrhythmia central blindness cerebral infarct embolism horse |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.15057 |
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