Correlation between coagulation profile findings and bleeding complications after ultrasound-guided biopsies: 434 cases (1993-1996).

Medical records of 434 consecutive dogs (n=310) and cats (n=124) that received coagulation studies prior to ultrasound-guided biopsy procedures between January 1993 and June 1996 were reviewed for bleeding complications. Minor complications occurred in 21.9% of cases. Major complications occurred in 6% of the cases. Significant bleeding complications were observed in thrombocytopenic cases (P=0.0001). Dogs with a prolonged one-stage prothrombin time (OSPT) (P=0.031) and cats with prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) (P=0.024) were more likely to have complications than patients with normal values. Adequate tissue for histopathological diagnosis was obtained in 96.3% of cases. The likelihood of complication was smaller when the liver was biopsied than when the kidney was biopsied (n=259; P=0.0327). Ultrasound-guided biopsy of intracavitary structures is an effective and relatively safe procedure, but delay of the procedure should be considered when thrombocytopenia is present in the patient.