Investigation of a point-of-care viscoelastic coagulation monitor and its comparison to thromboelastography in 9 female southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum)

Objective: To investigate a point-of-care viscoelastic coagulation monitor (VCM Vet; Entegrion Inc), compare the results to thromboelastography (TEG), and quantify traditional hemostatic analytes in southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum). Methods: 9 female rhinoceros (4 juveniles [2 to 3 years old], 4 adults [16 to 34 years old], and 1 geriatric [54 years old]) at the North Carolina Zoo were enrolled. Whole blood was collected using trained voluntary behavior and analyzed in duplicate via both VCM Vet and kaolin-activated TEG within 4 minutes or at 30 minutes following collection, respectively. Citrated plasma was used for ancillary coagulation testing. Results: Both analyses generated quantifiable clotting reactions with variables (median [range]) related to clot formation rate (TEG: R = 9.4 minutes [5.1 to 10.8], K = 2.0 minutes [1.4 to 3.0], α angle = 66° [41° to 73°]; VCM Vet: CT = 882 seconds [758 to 1,252], CFT = 416 seconds [200 to 980], α = 24° [11° to 43°]), clot strength (TEG: MA = 71 mm [64 to 79], G = 11.9 kilodynes/s [9.0 to 18.9]; VCM Vet: MCF = 49 units [34 to 53]), and clot lysis (TEG: LY30 = 0.9% [0% to 1.7%], LY60 = 3.2% [0.9% to 4.9%]; VCM Vet: Li30 = 100% [99% to 100%], Li45 = 98% [93% to 100%]) recorded. Additional testing (median [range]) included D-dimer (221 ng/mL [138 to 577]), prothrombin time (21.4 seconds [19.6 to 23.7]), activated partial thromboplastin time (24.8 seconds [22.5 to 27.4]), and fibrinogen (336 mg/dL [280 to 429]). Conclusions: Tracings generated by VCM Vet and TEG were clinically similar, and there was visual agreement and minimal difference between quantitative variables for duplicate tests. Clinical Relevance: VCM Vet is a user-friendly, portable device that demonstrates promise for assessing coagulation in southern white rhinoceros.