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Home / Equine Research Bank / Can J Vet Res / Accuracy of pulse oximetry and capnography in healthy and co...
Canadian journal of veterinary research = Revue canadienne de recherche veterinaire2003; 67(3); 169-174;

Accuracy of pulse oximetry and capnography in healthy and compromised horses during spontaneous and controlled ventilation.

Abstract: The objective of this prospective clinical study was to evaluate the accuracy of pulse oximetry and capnography in healthy and compromised horses during general anesthesia with spontaneous and controlled ventilation. Horses anesthetized in a dorsal recumbency position for arthroscopy (n = 20) or colic surgery (n = 16) were instrumented with an earlobe probe from the pulse oximeter positioned on the tip of the tongue and a sample line inserted at the Y-piece for capnography. The horses were allowed to breathe spontaneously (SV) for the first 20 min after induction, and thereafter ventilation was controlled (IPPV). Arterial blood, for blood gas analysis, was drawn 20 min after induction and 20 min after IPPV was started. Relationships between oxygen saturation as determined by pulse oximetry (SpO2), arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2), arterial carbon dioxide partial pressure (PaCO2), and end tidal carbon dioxide (P(et)CO2), several physiological variables, and the accuracy of pulse oximetry and capnography, were evaluated by Bland-Altman or regression analysis. In the present study, both SpO2 and P(et)CO2 provided a relatively poor indication of SaO2 and PaCO2, respectively, in both healthy and compromised horses, especially during SV. A difference in heart rate obtained by pulse oximetry, ECG, or palpation is significantly correlated with any pulse oximeter inaccuracy. If blood gas analysis is not available, ventilation to P(et)CO2 of 35 to 45 mmHg should maintain the PaCO2 within a normal range. However, especially in compromised horses, it should never substitute blood gas analysis.
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Publication Date: 2003-08-02 PubMed ID: 12889721PubMed Central: PMC227048
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The study investigates the accuracy of pulse oximetry and capnography in assessing the health status of horses, both healthy and compromised ones, under general anesthesia. The results indicate both methods provide only limited accuracy in determining arterial oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, especially during spontaneous ventilation.

Methodology

  • The research took a clinical prospective approach, involving a selection of horses which were anesthetized for either arthroscopy or colic surgery. The surgeries were conducted in a position referred to as dorsal recumbency.
  • Each horse was equipped with a pulse oximeter earlobe probe placed on the tip of the tongue, and a Y-piece sample line for capnography, which is the monitoring of the concentration or partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the respiratory gases.
  • Initially, the horses were allowed to breathe spontaneously for the first 20 minutes post-induction. Following this period, the ventilation approach was changed to controlled (IPPV).
  • Arterial blood was drawn at two key stages of the experiment: 20 minutes after induction and 20 minutes after IPPV was initiated. This was analyzed to determine blood gas levels.

Results and Analysis

  • The information gathered from the pulse oximeter was used to determine the oxygen saturation (SpO2) levels, while the carbon dioxide levels (PaCO2) were gleaned from the capnography readings.
  • Comparison between sequence of carbon dioxide in exhaled air (P(et)CO2), SpO2, arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2), and PaCO2 were evaluated with the accuracy of pulse oximetry and capnography measures.
  • Methods of evaluating this data included Bland-Altman or regression analysis.
  • Findings revealed that the SpO2 and P(et)CO2 data were not accurate predictors of SaO2 and PaCO2 respectively, in both healthy and compromised horses, particularly during spontaneous ventilation.

Significance of Heart Rate and Findings

  • In addition to the primary findings, the data showed that any inaccuracies in pulse oximetry were significantly correlated with varying heart rates obtained by pulse oximetry, ECG, or palpation.
  • If blood gas analysis is not possible, the study proposes that controlling the ventilation could keep the PaCO2 in the normal range. The P(et)CO2 should be maintained at a level between 35 to 45 mmHg.
  • Despite this proposal, the study strongly concludes that such procedures should never replace a proper blood gas analysis, especially in circumstances where the horses’ health is compromised.

Cite This Article

APA
Koenig J, McDonell W, Valverde A. (2003). Accuracy of pulse oximetry and capnography in healthy and compromised horses during spontaneous and controlled ventilation. Can J Vet Res, 67(3), 169-174.

Publication

Canadian journal of veterinary research = Revue canadienne de recherche veterinaire
ISSN: 0830-9000
NlmUniqueID: 8607793
Country: Canada
Language: English
Volume: 67
Issue: 3
Pages: 169-174

Researcher Affiliations

Koenig, Judith
  • Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1. jkoenig@ovc.uoguelph.ca
McDonell, Wayne
    Valverde, Alexander

      MeSH Terms

      • Anesthesia, General / veterinary
      • Animals
      • Arthroscopy / veterinary
      • Blood Gas Analysis / methods
      • Blood Gas Analysis / veterinary
      • Capnography / methods
      • Capnography / veterinary
      • Carbon Dioxide / blood
      • Case-Control Studies
      • Colic / blood
      • Colic / physiopathology
      • Colic / surgery
      • Colic / veterinary
      • Horse Diseases / blood
      • Horse Diseases / physiopathology
      • Horse Diseases / surgery
      • Horses / blood
      • Horses / physiology
      • Oximetry / methods
      • Oximetry / veterinary
      • Oxygen / blood
      • Partial Pressure
      • Prospective Studies
      • Pulmonary Ventilation / physiology
      • Reference Values
      • Regression Analysis
      • Reproducibility of Results
      • Sensitivity and Specificity

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