Use of a handheld device for analysis of blood electrolyte concentrations and blood gas partial pressures in dogs and horses.

The study tested the use of a handheld device to analyze blood electrolytes and gas partial pressures in dogs and horses, finding that its results were largely comparable to those obtained using a standard chemistry analyzer. However, it did find some discrepancy in the results for sodium concentration in dogs and hematocrit in horses.

Objective and Methodology

• This research aimed to compare the results obtained by a handheld analyzer on blood samples from dogs and horses with those obtained using a standard chemistry analyzer.
• The handheld analyzer was used to assess sodium, potassium, ionized calcium, bicarbonate, and total CO2 concentrations, pH, PO2, PCO2, base excess, and hematocrit (Hct).
• The study used a case series and split sample analysis on blood samples obtained from 22 dogs and 17 horses.
• Two sets of test cartridges were used with the handheld analyzer, one set that had been warmed to ambient temperature and the other just removed from refrigeration.

Results

• For canine samples, most measurements (with a correlation of r2 > 0.83) corresponded well with those obtained by the standard chemistry analyzer. However, sodium concentration measurements showed lower correspondence (r2 = 0.6).
• For equine samples, most measurements (with a correlation of r2 > 0.79) also corresponded well with results of the standard chemistry analyzer. The exception here was for Hct, which showed a lower correlation (r2 = 0.38).
• Results from the handheld analyzer using both cold and warm test cartridges showed moderate correlation (r2 > or = 0.69).

Conclusions

• The handheld analyzer provided results similar to those from a standard chemistry analyzer. The exceptions noted were for sodium concentration in canine samples and Hct in equine samples.
• Whether the test cartridges used with the handheld device were warm or cold did not significantly affect the results.

This study supports the viability of handheld devices as useful tools for analyzing blood electrolyte concentrations and blood gas pressures in dogs and horses. However, it also indicates the necessity of further studies to understand the varying results for certain parameters.