M. Jałyński

Thromboelastographic profile of goat blood after the experimental injury of the femoral artery and use of QuikClot gauze and Celox gauze dressings

The aim of this study was to evaluate the suitability of thromboelastometry for the analysis of blood test results in goats after the use of hemostatic dressings to control massive bleeding. The study was carried out on 12 goats, 6 animals in each of two subgroups. In all experimental animals incision of the femoral artery was performed, and bleeding was controlled with QuikClot gauze in the first group and Celox gauze in the second group. Dressings were applied for 60 minutes. Blood samples for thromboelastometry were collected from the jugular vein before the incision and 60 min after the application of a dressing. Clotting time (CT), clot formation time (CFT), maximum clot firmness (MCF) and α angle (°) were measured in three standard ROTEM assays (system with generation of reaction curve, numerical parameters and size of the blood clot): intrinsic coagulation pathway (INTEM), extrinsic coagulation pathway (EXTEM) and functional fibrinogen (FIBTEM). Complete hemostasis of the injured femoral artery was found in all goats. No significant differences between pre- and post-incision thromboelastometric parameters were found in any tests in any of the groups, which indicates that the use of dressings was not associated with blood coagulation disorders. This study is the first to describe the use of thromboelastometry in goats for the assessment of clot formation and hemostatic disorders.

Pathological findings in low-field magnetic resonance imaging of the canine spine – a study of 112 patients

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a method of choice in diagnosing nervous system disorders. This paper presents the results of a study where selected segments of the canine spine were examined by low-field MRI in 112 patients. Images of pathological changes were obtained in spin echo (SE), fast spin echo (FSE) and hybrid contrast enhancement (3D HYCE) sequences. The cervical region of the spinal cord (C1-C5) was examined in 32 patients, the cervicothoracic region (C6-Th2)- in 14 patients, the thoracolumbar region (Th3-L3) - in 23 patients, and the lumbosacral region (L4-S3) - in 43 patients. The results were used to determine the incidence of pathological changes in different sections of the canine spine, such as intervertebral disc disease (IDD), disc desiccation, syringomyelia and changes characterized by higher uptake of the contrast medium. Intervertebral disc disease was diagnosed in 52.7% of patients and it was the most common abnormality. Disc dehydratation without protrusion or extrusion was noted in 23.2% of animals. Pathological changes with increased uptake of the contrast medium and indicative of neoplastic growth were observed in 13.4% of patients and syringomyelia was diagnosed in 9.82% of the examined animals. The proposed sequences revealed the presence of above abnormalities.

The Effectiveness of Modified Seton and Modified Combat Gauze in Controlling Severe Hemorrhaging during Operations of Uniformed Services

Hemorrhaging from large vessels poses a serious problem in emergency situations when blood loss needs to be immediately controlled. The aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness of two hemostatic dressings in controlling bleeding from a surgically punctured femoral artery. The study was performed on thirteen pigs divided into two groups, of six and seven pigs, respectively. Combat gauze covered with ChitoClear hqg 95 chitosan and Protanal LF10/60 FT sodium alginate was used in the first group, seton covered with identical substances was uses in the second group. Selected hemostatic dressing was applied to the wound 20 seconds after incision and then removed at regular time intervals to evaluate hemostasis. Modified seton was characterized by a shorter time to hemostasis than combat gauze. The result of this experiment indicate that modified seton proved to be a more effective dressing than modified combat gauze.