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Biomedical subjects

L Van Hoogmoed

Publications and source records attributed to L Van Hoogmoed.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

Evaluation of peritoneal fluid pH, glucose concentration, and lactate dehydrogenase activity for detection of septic peritonitis in horses.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether peritoneal fluid pH, glucose concentration, and lactate dehydrogenase activity can be used to differentiate horses with septic peritonitis from those with nonseptic peritonitis. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 46 horses, including 10 healthy horses, 15 horses with septic peritonitis, and 21 horses with nonseptic peritonitis. PROCEDURE: Peritoneal fluid and blood samples were analyzed for pH, glucose concentration, and lactate dehydrogenase activity. Complete blood cell counts were performed, and peritoneal fluid samples were submitted for bacterial culture. RESULTS: Horses with septic peritonitis had significantly lower peritoneal fluid pH and glucose concentrations than horses with nonseptic peritonitis and healthy horses. Compared with other tests, serum-to-peritoneal fluid glucose concentration differences > 50 mg/dl had the highest diagnostic use for detection of septic peritonitis. Peritoneal fluid pH < 7.3, glucose concentration < 30 mg/dl, and fibrinogen concentration > 200 mg/dl were also highly indicative of septic peritonitis. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Peritoneal fluid pH and glucose concentration can be used to assist in the identification of horses with septic peritonitis. These measurements can provide an early indication of sepsis, especially if cytologic evaluation of peritoneal fluid is unavailable or results are equivocal and peritoneal fluid bacterial culture results are pending.

Animals↗

In vitro effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents and prostaglandins I2, E2, and F2alpha on contractility of taenia of the large colon of horses.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the in vitro effect of various prostaglandins (PG) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) on contractile activity of the large-colon taenia of horses. ANIMALS: 14 healthy horses. PROCEDURE: The taenia was collected from the ventral colon, cut into strips (2 X 10 mm), and mounted in a tissue bath system (20-ml capacity) that contained oxygenated Krebs buffer solution warmed to 37.5+/-0.5 C. After equilibration, incremental doses of PGE2, PGF2alpha, PGl2, flunixin meglumine, carprofen, ketoprofen, and phenylbutazone were added to the baths, and contractile activity was recorded. Magnitude of the response was calculated by comparing contractile activity before and after administration of the PG or NSAID to the tissue baths. RESULTS: PGE2 and PGF2alpha, caused a significant increase in contractile activity, whereas PGI2 induced an inhibitory response. Activity of NSAID on contraction was predominantly inhibitory. At low concentrations, ketoprofen induced an excitatory effect, which then became inhibitory at high concentrations. Compared with the other NSAID, carprofen significantly reduced contractile activity at lower concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: PGE2 and PGF2alpha appear to enhance contractility of large-colon taenia of horses, whereas PGI2 was inhibitory in the in vitro model. Administration of NSAID also inhibited contractility, with carprofen having the most potent effect. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Administration of NSAID in combination with liberation of endogenous PG may predispose horses to development of intestinal stasis and subsequent impaction.

Animals↗

Surgical repair of patellar luxation in llamas: 7 cases (1980-1996).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate anatomy of the stifle in llamas and determine outcome of llamas that underwent surgery for repair of patellar luxation. DESIGN: Anatomic and retrospective study. ANIMALS: 6 llamas with unilateral patellar luxation and 1 llama with bilateral luxations. PROCEDURE: 6 stifles from llama cadavers were dissected to determine anatomy. Medical records were reviewed to identify history, procedure, outcome, and complications of llamas that underwent surgery. RESULTS: 6 llamas had lateral patellar luxation (including the llama with bilateral luxations), and 1 had medial patellar luxation. Six llamas had a history of trauma before onset of clinical signs. Two llamas underwent tibial tuberosity transposition, but luxation recurred in both and 1 had problems with breakage of implants. The other 5 llamas underwent imbrication and release procedures; however, luxation recurred in 4 of the 5. Surgery was repeated in 2 llamas, with successful outcomes. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Results suggest that imbrication and release procedures may be useful for correction of patellar luxation in llamas without other bony abnormalities. However, long (20 cm) imbrication and release incisions are needed for a successful outcome. Use of a sling after surgery, to allow a gradual return to weight bearing and exercise, may also be important.

Animals↗

Role of nitric oxide in in vitro contractile activity of the third compartment of the stomach in llamas.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the role of nitric oxide and an apamin-sensitive nonadrenergic-noncholinergic inhibitory transmitter in in vitro contractile activity of the third compartment in llamas. SAMPLE POPULATION: Isolated strips of third compartment of the stomach from 5 llamas. PROCEDURE: Strips were mounted in tissue baths containing oxygenated Kreb's buffer solution and connected to a polygraph chart recorder to measure contractile activity. Atropine, guanethidine, and indomethacin were added to tissue baths to inhibit muscarinic receptors, adrenoreceptors, and prostaglandin synthesis. Responses to electrical field stimulation following addition of the nitric oxide antagonist Nwo-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) and apamin were evaluated. RESULTS: Electrical field stimulation (EFS) resulted in a reduction in the amplitude and frequency of contractile activity, followed by rebound contraction when EFS was stopped. Addition of L-NAME resulted in a significant reduction in inhibition of contractile activity. Addition of apamin also resulted in a significant reduction in inhibitory contractile activity at most stimulation frequencies. The combination of L-NAME and apamin resulted in a significant reduction in inhibition at all frequencies. CONCLUSION: Nitric oxide and a transmitter acting via an apamin-sensitive mechanism appear to be involved in inhibition of contractile activity of the third compartment in llamas. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that nitric oxide plays an important role in mediating contractile activity of the third compartment in llamas. Use of nitric oxide synthase inhibitors may have a role in the therapeutic management of llamas with lesions of the third compartment.

Animals↗

Adjunctive methods in equine gastrointestinal surgery.

The medical management of postoperative abdominal disorders remains a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for the equine clinician. Recent advances in the development of techniques and medications to offset or attenuate ischemia-reperfusion injury, endotoxemia, and ileus are encouraging and potentially will decrease the incidence of additional complications.

Animals↗

Acute small intestinal injury associated with hematomas in the mesentery of four horses.

Four horses were evaluated for clinical signs consistent with small intestinal disease. During exploratory surgery, primary hematomas in the mesentery were found in 2 horses. The third horse developed a hematoma secondary to a mesenteric rent, whereas in the fourth horse, a hematoma developed secondary to strangulation of the bowel by a mesenteric lipoma. Two horses were euthanatized at surgery, because the extensive nature of the hematoma precluded ligation and there was substantial risk of continued hemorrhage postoperatively. The remaining horses recovered from surgery but developed complications. One horse developed functional ileus and required a second surgery to decompress the bowel, whereas the second horse eventually was euthanatized for severe, recurrent signs of colic. Clinical signs and management of small intestinal lesions related to volvulus, epiploic entrapment, intramural hematoma, mesenteric rent, and intussuception have been described. To our knowledge, reports of small intestinal infarctions secondary to hematomas in the mesentery have not been published. Primary hematomas in the mesentery should be included in the differential diagnoses for horses examined for signs of depression, anorexia, and progressive signs of colic.

Acute Disease↗

Peritoneal fluid analysis in peripartum mares.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize, in mares, changes in peritoneal fluid that occurred within the first 7 days after routine foaling. DESIGN: Prospective observational trial. ANIMALS: 15 mares. PROCEDURE: Abdominocentesis was performed within 10 days before foaling and again 12 hours, 3 days, and 7 days after each horse foaled. Data recorded for each sample included total nucleated cell count, differential cell count, specific gravity, fibrinogen concentration, and total protein concentration. Smears of each sample were examined by a single clinical pathologist. RESULTS: There were not any significant differences over time in specific gravity, total protein concentration, fibrinogen concentration, total nucleated cell count, or number of small mononuclear cells. Mean numbers of neutrophils and large mononuclear cells in samples collected after foaling were significantly higher than mean numbers in samples collected before foaling. For 11 of 14 horses, all samples were characterized cytologically as transudates without cytologic abnormalities. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Results of analysis of peritoneal fluid from peripartum mares suggest that nucleated cell count, protein concentration, and specific gravity of peritoneal fluid from mares that have recently foaled should be normal. Thus, peritoneal fluid abnormalities detected in mares within a week after foaling should usually be attributed to a systemic or gastrointestinal problem and not to the foaling process itself.

Animals↗

In vitro biomechanical comparison of the strength of the linea alba of the llama, using two suture patterns.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the strength of the sutured linea alba, in vitro, using 2 suture patterns. ANIMALS: 12 clinically normal llamas. PROCEDURE: 2 incisions in the linea alba of 12 llamas were closed with a simple continuous or inverted cruciate pattern, and tissue was harvested after 10 days. In 6 llamas the simple continuous line was intact; the inverted cruciate specimens contained 6 sutures. In 6 llamas, 1 knot was excised in the simple continuous pattern to simulate a failed line; the cruciate pattern contained 5 knots. Tissue sections were taken from cranial, between, and caudal to the linea alba incisions to compare fascial thickness. The sutured specimens were mounted in a mechanical testing system and tested to failure. A mixed-model ANOVA was used to evaluate the effects of suture pattern and incisional position on mechanical properties. RESULTS: Significant differences were not found between suture patterns or between location for yield force, failure force, or yield strain, whereas failure strain was lower for the intact simple continuous pattern than the inverted cruciate pattern (P = 0.003). From histomorphometric analysis, the caudal tissue specimens were significantly thinner than the middle tissue specimen cranial to the umbilicus (P = 0.006). CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference in monotonic breaking strength of the linea alba sutured with the simple continuous or inverted cruciate pattern. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These results justify the use of the simple continuous pattern over the cruciate pattern for ventral midline closure in llamas because of the ease of placement and speed.

Abdominal Muscles↗

Use of pelvic flexure biopsies to predict survival after large colon torsion in horses.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if morphologic evaluation of intraoperative biopsies of the large colon could be used to accurately predict outcome in horses with large colon torsion. STUDY DESIGN: Clinical study. ANIMALS: Fifty-four horses with large colon torsion. METHODS: A full-thickness biopsy was collected from the pelvic flexure of the ascending colon after correction of naturally occurring colonic torsion. Morphologic changes were evaluated and graded for interstitial tissue to crypt ratio (I:C ratio), percentage loss of superficial and glandular epithelium, and the degree of hemorrhage and edema. These variables were then used to predict survival. RESULTS: Morphologic variables could be used to correctly predict survival or death in 51 horses (P < .0001). This corresponded to a sensitivity of 95.1% (82.2%-99.2%; 95% CI) and a specificity of 92.3% (62.0%-99.6%; 95% CI). Of 6 horses that had colonic resection, 5 survived; an accurate prediction of outcome based on morphologic criteria was made for each horse. CONCLUSIONS: Interpretation of changes in colonic morphology can be used to accurately predict postoperative survival in horses with large colon torsion. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Use of frozen colonic tissue sections is a rapid, reliable, and relatively inexpensive method for assessing morphologic damage associated with large colon torsion during surgery. Intraoperative evaluation of pelvic flexure biopsies can aid in the prediction of survival and guide surgical judgment as to the need for colonic resection.

Animals↗

Unilateral nephrectomy in a juvenile llama.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation, and surgical management of a llama with an ectopic ureter. ANIMALS OR SAMPLE POPULATION: Nine-month-old female llama. RESULTS: The diagnostic evaluation included the use of computed tomography and an excretory ureterogram to confirm and identify the location of the ectopic ureter. Surgical management involved a unilateral nephrectomy. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Computed tomography is a valuable asset to diagnose the presence and terminal location of an ectopic ureter in llamas, and nephrectomy appears to be a viable procedure to resolve the subsequent urinary incontinence.

Animals↗

Use of computed tomography to evaluate the intestinal tract of adult llamas.

In the llama, signs of colic are obscure and may be exhibited as persistent sternal recumbency and anorexia even in the presence of a surgical lesion. Diagnostic methods for evaluation of abdominal disorders are limited. As a result, surgical intervention may be prolonged and increase the risk of mortality and postoperative complications. The objective of this study was to determine the feasibility of computed tomography to evaluate the llama intestinal tract. Eighteen hours prior to the computed tomography scan, six llamas were given barium sulfate (15%) via an orogastric tube. Following induction of general anesthesia, the llamas were positioned in sternal recumbency, and 10 mm contiguous slices were obtained from the diaphragm to the tuber ischiadicum. Structures that were consistently identified included the first, second, and third compartments (C1, 2, and 3), small intestine, spiral colon, and ascending colon. C1 was easily identified in the cranial aspect of the abdomen due to its large size relative to the other compartments and characteristic saccules. C2 was located cranial, ventral, and to the right of C1, while C3 was visualized as a tubular structure to the right and ventral to C1 and C2, C3 was traced caudally until it turned dorsally and continued cranially to a dilated ampulla in the right cranial abdomen delineating the entrance to the small intestine. The spiral colon was identified consistently in the left ventral caudal abdomen. Structures that could not be conclusively identified included the cecum and mesenteric lymph nodes. Computed tomography allowed a consistent evaluation of the major intestinal structures associated with colic in the llama. Thus, computed tomography is a potentially valuable noninvasive diagnostic tool to effectively evaluate the abdominal cavity and differentiate medical from surgical lesions in the llama.

Ampulla of Vater↗