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Utilization of peripheral glucose and lactate differences in the diagnosis of feline arterial thromboembolism: a
Michael Yee1, Julien Guillaumin2, Meredith 't Hoen1
1Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States.
Insights
Lactate and glucose differences in limbs accurately diagnose feline arterial thromboembolism (FATE) in cats. Elevated glucose levels correlate with congestive heart failure (CHF), but neither marker predicts survival.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Cardiology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Feline arterial thromboembolism (FATE) is a serious condition often leading to limb pain and dysfunction.
- Assessing metabolic markers like lactate and glucose can aid in diagnosis and prognosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine lactate and glucose differences between affected and non-affected limbs in cats with FATE.
- To evaluate the correlation of these differences with survival and congestive heart failure (CHF).
Main Methods:
- Prospective study comparing FATE cats with control cats.
- Measurement of blood glucose and lactate in front (non-affected) and hind (affected) limbs.
- Calculation of lactate (Δlactate) and glucose (Δglucose) differences between limbs.
Main Results:
- Significantly higher median Δlactate and Δglucose in FATE cats compared to controls.
- Diagnostic cutoffs established: Δlactate ≥ 2.2 mmol/L and Δglucose ≥ 41 mg/dL.
- No correlation found between Δlactate or Δglucose and survival to discharge; higher Δglucose associated with CHF.
Conclusions:
- Lactate and glucose limb differences are effective diagnostic tools for FATE in cats.
- These metabolic markers do not predict survival outcomes.
- Elevated limb glucose differences are linked to the presence of concurrent CHF.
Objective:
To establish lactate and glucose differences between affected and non-affected limbs in cats with feline arterial thromboembolism (FATE). To evaluate the correlation between these values and survival to discharge as well as congestive heart failure (CHF).
Methods:
Blood glucose and lactate concentrations were prospectively obtained on admission from client-owned FATE cats and client-owned cats presented for other conditions. The glucose and lactate concentrations of the front limbs (or non-affected) and the hind limbs (or affected) were measured. Lactate (Δlactate) and glucose (Δglucose) differences between the two limbs were calculated.
Results:
The FATE group and control groups included 18 and 41 cats, respectively. The median age of the cats within the FATE group and control groups was 9.5 years and 5 years, respectively. The median Δlactate was significantly higher in the FATE group than in the control group (7.2 mmol/L versus 0.1 mmol/L, respectively; p ≤ 0.01). The median Δglucose was significantly higher in the FATE group than in the control group (155 mg/dL versus 3 mg/dL, respectively; p ≤ 0.01). A diagnosis of FATE was made using a ∆lactate cutoff of 2.2 mmol/L (100% sensitivity and 95% specificity) or a ∆glucose cutoff of 41 mg/dL (100% sensitivity and specificity). There was no correlation between Δlactate and Δglucose and survival to discharge. A higher ∆glucose was significantly associated with concurrent CHF (p = 0.01).
Conclusion:
Both Δlactate and Δglucose were accurate diagnostic tools for cats with FATE. Neither were correlated with survival to discharge. Higher Δglucose values were significantly associated with the presence of CHF.
