Pre-anaesthetic blood tests in geriatric cats and dogs: anaesthetists prediction and peri-anaesthetic changes

Diaz Arias, Maria Del Mar

Abstract

Objectives:
To describe the impact of routine pre-anaesthetic blood test results on the American Society Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification, anaesthetic protocol and procedures, as well as evaluating the ability of anaesthetists to predict abnormalities in cats and dogs older than 8 years.
Study design:
Observational, prospective, clinical multi-centre study.
Animals or Animal population:
A total of 333 client-owned dogs and cats.
Methods
After a clinical examination and review of the animal´s clinical history, anaesthetist completed the first part of a questionnaire that included ASA status and anticipated abnormalities in blood tests. Following this, blood workup was presented and the anaesthetist completed the second part of a questionnaire, including changes in ASA status or anaesthetic protocol, and procedure delay or cancellation. Pre-anaesthetic blood tests included: haematocrit and urea, creatinine, total proteins, electrolytes, glucose, lactate, urea and creatinine. Examiners were classified as senior clinicians, clinicians, anaesthesia residents or nurses, and interns. For statistical analysis, chi-squared test was used for non-parametric data. A p value < 0.05 was considered significant.
Results
The ASA status increased in 4 animals (1.2%), in two of them abnormalities were not expected by the examiner. The anaesthetic protocol changed in 7 animals (2.1%); the most common change related to fluid therapy. Anaesthesia was delayed in two animals (0.6%) to receive fluid therapy. No cases were cancelled. Abnormalities were more commonly found (64% assessments) when the anaesthetist predicted them compared to (18% of assessments) when they were not expected (p < 0.001). No statistically significant differences were found between different assessors to predict abnormalities in pre-anaesthetic blood tests.
Conclusions and clinical relevance
Routine non-targeted blood tests in geriatric cats and dogs led to few changes in the anaesthetic management and anaesthetists predicted blood test results in most cases. The present study does not support the need for non-selective and non-targeted preoperative blood tests.

Citation

Diaz Arias, M. D. M. (in press). Pre-anaesthetic blood tests in geriatric cats and dogs: anaesthetists prediction and peri-anaesthetic changes. Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia,

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 21, 2021
• Deposit Date: Dec 9, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 3, 2022
• Print ISSN: 1467-2987
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Public URL: https://rvc-repository.worktribe.com/output/1442054