SummaryAttappady Black goats are found exclusively in Attappady, an isolated hilly region of Kerala, India. A survey on these goats was carried out in the breeding tract for the purposes of breed characterization. The total population of Attappady Blacks in the area was estimated to be 9351, which represented only 40% of the total goat population in the area. These goats are reared mainly by the tribes of Attappady and maintained on an extensive grazing system. The animals are black in colour with bronze coloured eyes. Ears are medium in length (13.5 cm) drooping over the lateral side of the face. Horns are present in both males and females and they are curved laterally upwards and backwards. Tassels are present in some animals. Their tail is of a bunchy type and curved. The average body length, height at withers, height at rump, chest girth and paunch girth of these goats in the adult stage were found to be 67±0.8, 80±0.8, 76±0.8, 71±1.3, 75±1.3 cm, in males and 63±0.4, 69±0.4, 71±0.3, 69±0.4, 75±0.3 cm in females, respectively. Adult males above 18 months of age weigh on average 35±1.1 kg and females weigh 31±0.4 kg. Attappady Blacks are reared for meat purposes.

Anticoagulation for cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is required to prevent acute disseminated intravascular coagulation and clot formation within the bypass circuit. Unfractionated heparin is the standard anticoagulant for CPB due to its many advantages and long history of successful use. However, heparin has the unique drawback of triggering Heparin-PF4 (PF4) antibodies potentially leading to heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). We have limited data regarding reformation of antibodies if a patient has had a prior (remote) antibody production or full HIT. Patients with antiphospholipid antibodies undergoing CPB with unfractionated heparin have a high complication rate, even in the absence of HIT. Antiphospholipid antibodies have a multifaceted, cumulatively inhibitory effect on the normal anticoagulation armamentarium in vivo. Even more concerning is the possibility that antiphospholipid syndrome and HIT may be synergistic. We report a patient with risk factors for both thromboembolic (remote history of HIT and antiphospholipid syndrome) and hemorrhagic complications who underwent an aortic valve replacement and coronary artery bypass grafting on CPB using bivalirudin. We discuss the complex decision making regarding anticoagulant for CPB, particularly with regard to American College of Chest Physicians guidelines.

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