Hemostatic abnormalities in dogs with carcinoma: A thromboelastographic characterization of hypercoagulability

Hemostatic abnormalities were investigated in 32 dogs with carcinoma and 19 age-matched healthy dogs. Thromboelastography, hemostasis profile (i.e. prothrombin time [PT], activated partial thromboplastin time [aPTT], fibrinogen concentration), platelet count (PLT), thrombin–antithrombin complexes (TAT), and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) activity were evaluated.Dogs with carcinomas had faster thrombus generation (TEGTG, a mathematic value obtained from the first derivate of the thromboelastographic tracing; 834.8 ± 91.1 vs. 707.8 ± 75.8 mm/min; mean ± SD), increased fibrinogen concentration (276 vs. 151 mg/dL), and PLT (425 vs. 324U × 109/L), but had decreased PAI-1 activity (15.7 vs. 26.2 IU/mL).The most common hemostatic abnormalities found in carcinoma dogs were hypercoagulability (TEGTG > mean + 2 SD of healthy dogs) and thrombocytosis (PLT > 424 × 109 U/L) in 46% of cases, and hyperfibrinogenemia (fibrinogen >384 mg/dL) in 32% of cases. Disseminated intravascular coagulation was uncommon and the extent of disease was not correlated with hypercoagulability. TEGTG showed good correlation with fibrinogen (r = 0.80) and hyperfibrinogenemia seems to be a main factor of the hypercoagulable state in carcinoma dogs. In conclusion, TEGTG is a valid parameter to diagnose hypercoagulability.