Chapter 34 - Instestinal viability

Question 1

How is intestinal injury associated with obstructive intestinal diseases?

Answer 1

Intestinal injury is associated with obstructive intestinal diseases due to a critical reduction in oxygen and nutrient supply, leading to** cellular injury and necrosis.**

Question 2

```

what is the classifation of intestinal obstructive lesions?

Answer 2

Intestinal obstructive lesions are classified as either simple or strangulating obstructions.

Question 3

What is a simple obstruction, and what can it lead to as distention progresses?

Answer 3

A simple obstruction, commonly caused by intraluminal impaction, may lead to mucosal lesions similar to those encountered during ischemic injury as distention progresses.

Question 4

What characterizes strangulating obstruction, and what are the examples given in the text?

Answer 4

Strangulating obstruction results from simultaneous occlusion of the intestinal lumen and its blood supply. Examples include large colon volvulus and strangulation of the small intestine within an internal hernia.

Question 5

```

What determines the degree of injury in strangulating obstruction?

Answer 5

The degree of injury in strangulating obstruction depends on the nature of vascular occlusion, with veins being occluded earlier than arteries in most instances.

Question 6

What is a nonstrangulating infarction, and what can interrupt mesenteric blood flow in this case?

Answer 6

Nonstrangulating infarction occurs when mesenteric blood flow to a section of the intestine is interrupted due to a thrombus, embolus, or generalized “low-flow” states.

Question 7

What are some potential causes of nonstrangulating infarctions?

Answer 7

Causes of nonstrangulating infarctions may include verminous arteritis, Salmonella, dental disease, or thromboembolic disorders.

Question 8

When is a horse susceptible to low-flow intestinal injury?

Answer 8

A horse with profound hypovolemia, such as after acute hemorrhage, is susceptible to low-flow intestinal injury.

Question 9

What is the role of luminal distention in intestinal injury, and which layer is more severely affected?

Answer 9

Luminal distention, especially in the small intestine, can lead to seromuscular injury, and the seromuscular layer appears to be more severely affected.

Question 10

```

What anatomical feature makes the villus tip in the equine small intestine susceptible to ischemia?

Answer 10

The countercurrent exchange mechanism of blood flow in the small intestinal villus makes the villus tip susceptible to ischemia

Question 11

The small intestinal mucosa is more susceptible due to the countercurrent exchange mechanism and the higher energy requirement of the mucosal epithelium

Answer 11

The small intestinal mucosa is more susceptible due to the countercurrent exchange mechanism and the higher energy requirement of the mucosal epithelium

Question 12

What happens to the mucosal epithelium during hypoxic injury, and what is the first biochemical event during hypoxia?

Answer 12

The mucosal epithelium undergoes injury, and the** first biochemical event** is a loss of oxidative phosphorylation, leading to diminished ATP concentration.

Question 13

Answer 13

The pH of the cytosol drops as lactic acid and inorganic phosphates accumulate from anerobic glycolysis, which damages cell membranes and results in their detachment
from the basement membrane. As epithelium separates from the underlying basement membrane in the small
intestine, a fluid-filled space termed Grünhagen space forms at the tip of the villus. The fluid accumulation
exacerbates epithelial separation from the basement membrane. Subsequently, epithelium progressively sloughs
from the tip of the villus toward the crypts, which are the last component of the intestinal mucosa to become
injured.

Question 14

which part of the intestine is prone to ischemia?

Answer 14

in equine SI villus tip is the region most susceptible to ischemia this is why SI is more susceptible to ischemic injury than the colon which has no villi

Question 15

Mucosal epithelium is particularly susceptible to hypoxic injury why?

Answer 15

because of the relatively high level of energy required to fuel the Na+/K+–ATPase mechanism that regulates epithelial ion and nutrient transport.

Question 16

What is becoming apparent regarding the consequences of reperfusion injury in addition to the intestinal mucosa?

Answer 16

The consequences of reperfusion injury are widespread and involve tissues other than the intestinal mucosa, such as neutrophil infiltration into the seromuscular layers.

Question 17

What is reperfusion injury, and what role does xanthine oxidase play in this process?

Answer 17

Reperfusion injury occurs when tissues are reoxygenated after ischemia. Xanthine oxidase converts hypoxanthine to superoxide during reperfusion, contributing to oxidative tissue damage.

Question 18

Why is the treatment of mucosal reperfusion injury challenging in cases of strangulating obstruction?

Answer 18

Strangulating obstruction induces maximal mucosal injury during the ischemic phase, leaving little potential for further injury during reperfusion.

Question 19

remarkly injury occur 3 hours after ischemia or 1 hour of reperfusion?

Answer 19

under conditions of low-flow ischemia, very little injury is demonstrated during 3 hours of ischemia, but
remarkable injury occurs during 1 hour of reperfusion

Question 20

What is the suggested concept of a therapeutic window in the context of reperfusion injury treatment?

Answer 20

The concept suggests that there are conditions under which ischemic injury is minimal, and tissues are severely damaged during reperfusion, offering a potential therapeutic window for treatment.

Question 21

What are some treatments mentioned for reperfusion injury in the horse, and why may they be challenging in cases of strangulating obstruction?

Answer 21

Treatments include antioxidants, intestinal nutrients, and vasodilators. These treatments may be challenging in strangulating obstruction due to rapid-onset mucosal injury during ischemia.

Question 22

Superoxide interacts with

Answer 22

lipid membranes, triggering arachidonic acid metabolism
and the generation of lipid
**neutrophilic chemoattractants such as leukotriene B4.**

Question 23

Explain the mucosal epithelium hypoxic injury process with diagram starting with hypoxia/anaerobic glycolysis/formation of Grunhagen space

Answer 23

Question 24

why crypts are the last affected in hypoxia procesS?

Answer 24

The relative resistance of the crypts to injury probably relates to their vascular architecture, since crypts receive a blood
supply that is separate from the vasculature involved in the villus countercurrent exchange mechanism.

Question 25

Answer 25

Figure 34-2. Diagram of the events that lead to reperfusion injury. Note that as reperfusion progresses (shaded bar), the concentration of reactive oxygen metabolites amplifies as neutrophils are attracted to the site of injury. Points of experimental therapeutic intervention to block critical stages of reperfusion injury are underlined. Ab, Antibodies; ATP, adenosine triphosphate; DMSO, dimethyl sulfoxide; SOD, superoxide dismutase

Question 26

during reperfusion injury the ischemia the enzyme xanthine dehydrogenase is converted into (name the new enzyme and substrate)

Answer 26

xanthine oxidase and its substrate hypoxanthine that accumulate as result of ATP use

Question 27

What is the recent study of lidocaine’s role in treating intestinal ischemic injury, and what were the findings?

Answer 27

The study examined the effect of a continuous-rate infusion of lidocaine on the mucosal barrier in the equine jejunum during recovery from strangulating obstruction, finding potential benefits in preventing barrier function reduction and neutrophil infiltration.

Question 28

what are the 2 medications ideal to help in barrier function and permeability to LPS?

Answer 28

The administration of flunixin meglumine alone inhibits the recovery of the mucosal barrier following injury and
increases permeability to lipopolysaccharide (LPS).
In contrast, when a continuous-rate infusion of lidocaine is
combined with flunixin meglumine, this reduced barrier function and **increased permeability to LPS is prevented + prevents infiltration of mucosa with neutrophils**

Question 29

what is the likely cause of adhesions and postop ileus?

Answer 29

neutrophil infiltration into the seromuscular layers likely contribute to important complications such as adhesions
and postoperative ileus

Question 30

During the reperfusion and oxygen presenc what happens to xanthine oxidase?

Answer 30

Xanthine oxidase degrades hyoxanthine in presence of oxygen and produces superoxide that contributes to oxidative tissue damage

Question 31

What may antioxidant-based therapies potentially reduce in layers other than the mucosa?

Answer 31

Antioxidant-based therapies may potentially reduce neutrophil infiltration in layers other than the mucosa, such as the seromuscular layers.

Question 32

How is the viability of intestinal tissue most commonly assessed in clinical practice?

Answer 32

The viability of intestinal tissue is most commonly assessed by clinical observation, including the color of the serosa and mucosa

Question 33

What color changes in the serosa and mucosa were observed in a study on large colon volvulus in horses?

Answer 33

In the study on large colon volvulus, the serosa was noted to turn from various shades of purple to pink during reperfusion, while the mucosa consistently remained black.

Question 34

What is the potential drawback of relying on clinical determination of viability in assessing intestinal injury?

Answer 34

Clinical determination of viability, while noninvasive and rapid, is inaccurate for fully determining the level of injury.

Question 35

What are the methods to evaluate the intestinal viability?

Answer 35

1. **Clinical assessment **of bowel
2. Fluorescein dy IV 6.6-15 mg/kg and assesment 60 sec after inject
3. Surface oximetry indicate measure of tissue oxygenation
4. Doppler US
5. Intraluminal pressure
6. **Histopathology is gold standard **- biopsy from pelvic flexure
7. Dark field microscopy
   FISCHDD

Question 36

In what situations is euthanasia advised based on clinical judgment of nonviability of the intestine?

Answer 36

Euthanasia is advised when the intestine appears completely nonviable, characterized by dark coloration, a dull serosal appearance, and an inability to rehydrate the surface with lavage solutions.

Question 37

What was the accuracy of clinical assessment in predicting viability in a study of ponies with small intestinal strangulation obstruction?

Answer 37

Clinical assessment was only 53% accurate in predicting viability in the study of ponies with small intestinal strangulation obstruction.

Question 38

What grading system was developed to improve clinical judgment of viability in cases of strangulated small intestine?

Answer 38

The authors developed a grading system based on:
- color,
-inducible motility,
- and** constriction of the intestine **at the site of strangulation.
CIC

Question 39

Indicate the grading system to assess 15 minutes after correction lesion

Answer 39

Grade I
Color: similar to healthy adjacent intestine,Constrictions at the point of strangulation: NoEdema and mild ecchymoses: yes
Motility: spontaneous or induced by inger snapping
Grade II Color: similar to grade I, darker pink to red Constrictions: mild (less than half the intestinal circumference)
Edema and ecchymoses: more severe
Motility: spontaneous or induced by finger snapping
Grade III Similar to grade II in all respects BUT black strips or patches against a redbackground
Constrictions: yes, half the intestinal circumference or less

Grade IV Color: Little or no improvement, dark, red, purple, or blueBlack striations and constrictions of half the intestinal circumference or less
Thickness: variable, normal to thick
Motillity: little or no (after finger snapping)

Grade V Diffusely gray, black or green, with or without a necrotic odor.
Motility: none

Question 40

Answer 40

Fig 1: Typical classification of grade I from a horse in this study caused by
strangulation with a Meckel’s diverticulum. Changes are characterised by oedema
and scattered ecchymoses. This horse was alive at last follow-up 24 months after
surgery, with no history of post operative colic.

Question 41

Answer 41

Fig 3: Segment of intestine with grade III changes after strangulation in an inguinal
hernia, characterised by red discolouration and a black patch attributed to a
haematoma. This horse was alive at last follow-up 150 months after surgery, with no
history of post operative colic.

Question 42

Answer 42

Fig 2: Grade III changes from a horse in this study caused by strangulation with a
lipoma. In the absence of the scattered black patches, this would be classified as
grade II. This horse was alive at last follow-up 54 months after surgery, with no history
of post operative colic.

Question 43

Answer 43

Fig 4: Segment of intestine with grade III after strangulation by a lipoma,
characterised by red discolouration and an antimesenteric constriction with
blanching at the point of strangulation. This horse survived for 10 years after surgery
and died at age 30 years from colitis, with no history of post operative colic. Note an
incidental mesodiverticular band under the surgeon’s right hand. The intestine to the
right would be classified as grade II in the absence of the constriction.

Question 44

Answer 44

Fig 5: Short segment of ileum with grade IV after strangulation in an inguinal hernia.
This segment was predominantly light purple with normal wall thickness, with most
changes on the antimesenteric side of the intestine. The distal end (to the left) has a
circumferential constriction. This horse was alive at follow-up at 33 months, with no
history of post operative colic.

Question 45

How does surface oximetry assess intestinal viability, and what are its limitations?

Answer 45

Surface oximetry measures intestinal serosal** surface oxygen partial pressure.**
Its limitations include measuring focal areas, lack of indication for the viability of an entire region, and variability in sensitivity and specificity.

Question 46

What is the purpose of administering fluorescein dye intravenously, and what are the challenges associated with its clinical use?

Answer 46

Fluorescein dye is administered to assess perfusion, but challenges include** inconsistencies** in enhancing accuracy, especially in cases of hemorrhagic strangulating obstruction.

Question 47

What is the normal range of surface oxygen partial pressure (PSO2) values for the jejunum, ileum, and pelvic flexure in healthy anesthetized horses?

Answer 47

Normal PSO2 values are **71±20 mm Hg **for the jejunum,
**61±8 mm Hg **for the ileum, and
** 55±13 mm Hg **for the pelvic flexure.

Question 48

Doppler ultrasonography detects flow through the microvasculature, and it was shown to be more accurate than clinical judgment and fluorescein in poststrangulated small intestine, especially in cases of hemorrhagic strangulating obstruction.

Answer 48

Doppler ultrasonography detects flow through the** microvasculature**, and it was shown to be more accurate than clinical judgment and fluorescein in post strangulated SI especially in cases of hemorrhagic strangulating obstruction.

Question 49

What correlation was found between intraluminal pressure and nonsurvival in horses with small intestinal obstruction?

Answer 49

Increased intraluminal pressure is correlated with nonsurvival in horses with small intestinal obstruction, likely due to mucosal injury from compression of the intramural blood supply.

Question 50

What parameters were recorded on histologic evaluation to predict survival in horses with large colon volvulus?

Answer 50

Parameters included the percentage loss of surface and glandular epithelium, crypt widths, interstitial-to-crypt width ratio, degree of hemorrhage, and degree of edema. The latter measurements were expressed as an interstitial-to-crypt width (I:C) ratio. Normal values for this ratio are 1 or less. higher than IC:3 is dead/nonviable and the loss of glandular more than 50%

Question 51

Dark-field microscopy uses orthogonal polarized spectral imaging to visualize small vessels in real time, aiming to assess microvascular perfusion indices as an accurate technique for determining colon viability.

Answer 51

Dark-field microscopy uses orthogonal polarized spectral imaging to visualize small vessels in real time, aiming to assess microvascular perfusion indices as an accurate technique for determining colon viability.

Question 52

How does intraluminal pressure correlate with nonsurvival in horses with large colon volvulus?

Answer 52

Increased intraluminal pressure is correlated with nonsurvival in horses - 15 cm H2O,
large colon volvulus increasing pressure correlated with nonsurvival

Question 53

what is evaluated in histopathology in specific?

Answer 53

1. the % loss of surface epithelium,
2. % loss of** glandular epithelium, **
3. **widths of the crypts **and
4. of the interstitial space between the crypts

Question 54

Surface oxymetry is useful to detect survival or nonsurvival cases?

Answer 54

The technique is very useful for detecting horses that will survive, but predicting nonsurvival in
horses with low PSO2 values is very inaccurate

Question 55

what is the I:C ratio in histopathology evaluation that is the landmark?

Answer 55

Colonic tissue was considered to be nonviable when the I:C ratio was greater than 3 and the loss of glandular
epithelium was greater than 50%

Question 56

hemorragic strangulating obstruction - why veins are occluded earlier?

Answer 56

In most instances, the veins are occluded earlier in the course of strangulating obstruction than the arteries because
of their thinner and more compliant walls

Question 57

what causes hemorragic obstruction?

Answer 57

strangulating obstruction, with continued pumping of arterial blood into the intestinal wall, which, in the absence of
patent outflow, causes a hemorrhagic lesion termed hemorrhagic strangulating obstruction.

Question 58

what is a nonstrangulating obstruction?

Answer 58

Nonstrangulating Infarction
* **Mesenteric blood flow **to a section of intestine can be interrupted because of a **thrombus, embolus, **or during
generalized “low-flow” states, which can result in a nonstrangulating infarction.
or 2ary to migration Strongylus vulgaris àmaybe due to
vasospasm

Question 59

which artery is more prone to nonstrangulative obstruction?

Answer 59

cranial mesenteric artery