PLETH VARIABILITY INDEX-GUIDED FLUID THERAPY LOWERS POST-OPERATIVE LACTATE LEVELS IN DOGS UNDERGOING ELECTIVE ABDOMINAL SURGERY: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Abstract

To evaluate the hemodynamic optimization effect of pleth variability index (PVI)-guided fluid therapy during abdominal surgery on tissue perfusion, 19 client-owned dogs that underwent elective abdominal surgery were randomized into control ([Formula: see text]) and PVI ([Formula: see text]) groups. In the control group, perioperative fluid management was based on the 2013 AAHA/AAFP Fluid Therapy Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. In the PVI group, the fluid rate was maintained based on basic daily requirements. If PVI was higher than 15% for [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]min, 3–5[Formula: see text]mL/kg of crystalloid fluid bolus was infused. The tissue perfusion indicator, lactate levels, was measured at the time of intubation, extubation, and 6, 12 and 24[Formula: see text]h postoperatively. There were no significant differences in total and average fluid infused between control and PVI groups. The control group had significantly higher lactate levels than that of the PVI group at 12[Formula: see text]h postoperatively ([Formula: see text][Formula: see text]mmol/L versus [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]mmol/L, [Formula: see text]) and overall postoperatively ([Formula: see text][Formula: see text]mmol/L versus [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]mmol/L, [Formula: see text]). The control group revealed more profound hemodilution, as indicated by significantly decreased postoperative blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, and total protein. PVI-guided fluid therapy lowers lactate levels after elective abdominal surgery in dogs. Therefore, based on the result of this study PVI may provide customized fluid therapy to improve tissue perfusion and avoid unnecessary fluid overload.