Left heart dimensions in anemic cats and dogs before and after blood transfusion

Abstract Background Whether anemic cats and dogs with increased left heart dimensions are at higher risk of transfusion‐associated circulatory overload, and the effect of blood transfusion on left heart dimensions in naturally occurring anemia is unknown. Hypothesis/objectives To evaluate the effect of blood transfusion on left heart dimensions in clinically relevant anemia. Animals Twenty dogs and 20 cats presenting to a university veterinary teaching hospital. Methods In this prospective observational study, anemic dogs and cats requiring blood transfusion were included. Packed cell volume (PCV), total solids, and echocardiography were performed before and within 24 hours of blood transfusion. Signalment, bodyweight, disease process, transfusion duration and volume, and prior treatments were recorded. Nonparametric statistics were reported as median [range]. Post hoc Bonferroni correction set significance at P