Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 7, 2026
In Vitro Thrombosis Test for Ventricular Assist Devices
Published on: March 21, 2025
EVALUATION OF A NOVEL POINT-OF-CARE VISCOELASTIC COAGULATION MONITOR WITH COMPARISON TO THROMBOELASTOGRAPHY AND
Lauren E Mumm1,2, Alex M Lynch2, Laura K Culbreth2
1North Carolina Zoo, Asheboro, NC 27205, USA, lmumm@stlzoo.org.
Insights
This study introduces a portable coagulation analyzer for chimpanzees, establishing crucial reference values for clot formation and strength. Findings reveal sex and age influence coagulation, aiding improved veterinary care.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Primate Hematology
- Coagulation Diagnostics
Background:
- Cardiovascular and neoplastic diseases are prevalent in managed chimpanzees, potentially causing hemostatic issues.
- Coagulation assessments are underutilized in chimpanzee medicine.
- Portable, point-of-care devices offer advantages over lab-based assays in zoological settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To validate the VCM Vet (VCM) device for chimpanzee coagulation analysis.
- To establish reference values for VCM clot formation and strength parameters.
- To compare VCM results with traditional thromboelastography (TEG) and conventional coagulation parameter (CCP) assays.
Main Methods:
- Whole blood samples were collected from anesthetized chimpanzees (n=26).
- The VCM device was used to analyze coagulation kinetics.
- Plasma-based TEG and CCP assays were also performed for comparison.
- Statistical analyses compared VCM profiles across sex, age, and sample characteristics.
Main Results:
- The VCM device successfully analyzed samples from 25 chimpanzees, establishing interpretable kinetic tracings.
- Reference values for VCM parameters were determined from 21 healthy chimpanzees.
- Chimpanzees exhibited fast clot formation and strong clots compared to domestic animals.
- Females formed stronger clots than males; older chimpanzees (>30 yr) formed clots faster than younger ones (≤30 yr).
- Baseline values for TEG and CCP were reported for 19 healthy chimpanzees.
Conclusions:
- The VCM device is a viable tool for assessing chimpanzee coagulation in field or zoo settings.
- Established reference values provide a foundation for improved coagulation monitoring in managed chimpanzees.
- Coagulation assessments, including VCM, TEG, and CCP, may offer comparable clinical insights.
- This study supports enhanced standard of care for chimpanzees through better coagulation assessment.
Abstract:
Cardiovascular and neoplastic disease are common morbidities in managed care chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). Despite the potential for these states to induce hemostatic derangements, coagulation assessments remain poorly explored in this species. A portable, point-of-care device, such as VCM Vet (VCM), may be advantageous for evaluating coagulation kinetics in zoological and field settings opposed to laboratory thromboelastography (TEG) or conventional coagulation parameter (CCP) assays. Using whole blood opportunistically collected from anesthetized chimpanzees (n = 26), this study investigated proof of concept for VCM, established reference values for VCM clot formation and clot strength parameters, compared VCM profiles across sex, age, and sample collection characteristics, and compared clinical interpretations of VCM to plasma-based TEG and CCP. Samples from 25 chimpanzees were analyzed with the VCM, all of which produced interpretable kinetic tracings without error. Reference values were established based on results from 21 healthy chimpanzees from this sample population. Relative to established reference values in domestic dogs, cats, and horses, chimpanzees formed strong clots at a fast rate. Female chimpanzees formed significantly stronger clots than males, and older chimpanzees (>30 yr old) formed clots significantly faster than younger chimpanzees (≤30 yr old) (p < 0.05). Additionally, baseline values derived from descriptive statistics were reported for plasma-based TEG and CCP based on results from 19 healthy chimpanzees from the sample population. Comparisons made visually between VCM and TEG tracings, and between clinical interpretations for VCM, TEG, and CCP, support that these diagnostics may provide similar clinical information, although complete corroboration was limited due to evaluation in predominately healthy chimpanzees. This foundational dataset provides key reference values to encourage use of coagulation assessments and improve standard of care for chimpanzees in managed settings.
