A portable blood gas analyzer for equine venous blood.

The research study focuses on the evaluation of a portable blood gas analyzer, called StatPal II, using tonometered solutions and equine blood. The researchers carried out multiple comparisons with other gas analyzers to measure its effectiveness. The StatPal II showed variation but was still found to be acceptable in its analysis of equine venous blood gas samples.

Evaluation and Comparison Procedure

• The evaluation process involved analyzing tonometered solutions, which are specific mixtures, to test StatPal II’s precision and reliability.
• The solutions used for this process were of three types namely, acidic, normal, and alkalotic to cover the full range of possibilities.
• After the solutions, 27 equine venous blood samples were also analyzed.
• To alter the blood pH, PCO2, PO2, and [HCO3] values, two methods were adopted – one by the infusion of 5% sodium bicarbonate and the other via exercising the horses on a treadmill.
• Aside from the internal testing method, the StatPal II was compared against the Instrument Laboratory IL1306 and a Radiometer ABL50 blood gas analyzer.

Data Analysis and Results

• Analysis of the data for the venous blood samples was conducted using a paired two-tailed Student’s t-test and Bland-Altman plots. The threshold for significance was set at P < .05.
• The tonometered solutions displayed coefficients of variation ranging from 0.067% to 0.087% for pH, 2% to 3.21% for Pco2, 1.21% to 2.67% for Po2, and 0.267% to 0.828% for [HCO3-] values when analyzed by the StatPal II.
• The comparison of the equine blood samples analyzed by the StatPal II and IL1306 recorder statistically significant but clinically irrelevant differences in pH, Pco2, and Po2. However, there were no differences noted for [HCO3-].
• Similarly, noticeable but clinically unimportant differences were found between the StatPal II and Radiometer for pH, Pco2, and [HCO3-], but not for Po2.

Conclusions

• The results of these tests led to the conclusion that the StatPal II, despite some minor variations, provides reproducible and acceptable analysis of equine venous blood gas samples.