Acute kidney injury is associated with decreased platelet function in domestic cats.

BACKGROUND

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with platelet dysfunction in several species, but has been minimally investigated in cats. The Platelet Function Analyzer-200 (PFA-200) and Multiplate® (MP) investigate platelet function using different mechanisms.

HYPOTHESIS/

OBJECTIVES

Cats with AKI will show evidence of platelet dysfunction on PFA-200 collagen/adenosine diphosphate (Col/ADP) and MP ADP, Col, and arachidonic acid (ASPI) assays.

ANIMALS: Fifteen cats presented to a tertiary referral hospital with a diagnosis of AKI and 15 control cats.

METHODS

Complete blood count, serum biochemistry panel, PFA-200 Col/ADP, and MP ADP, Col, and ASPI assays were analyzed for associations between platelet count and function and AKI status and cause of AKI. Association between severity of platelet dysfunction and severity of azotemia also was assessed.

RESULTS

Cats with AKI had higher median PFA-200 Col/ADP closure time (CT) than control cats (109 s vs 56 s; P = .001) and lower median MP area under curve (AUC) in response to ADP (62 vs 108; P = .002), Col (60 vs 98; P = .007), and ASPI (22 vs 46; P = .001). No difference was found between cats with ureteral obstruction vs other causes of AKI in median MP ADP AUC (P = .78); MP ASPI AUC (P = .31), or MP Col AUC (P = .18), but obstructed cats had higher median PFA-200 CT (154 s vs 68 s; P = .02). Among cats with AKI, no association was found between serum urea, creatinine, or phosphorus concentrations, or urine specific gravity, and any platelet parameter.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL

IMPORTANCE

Cats with AKI have evidence of platelet dysfunction. Although the clinical relevance of this finding is unknown, it should be to considered when undertaking invasive procedures.