Use of the Accusport semi-automated analyser to determine blood lactate as an aid in the clinical assessment of horses with colic.

The research discusses the application and validity of using the Accusport lactate meter for measuring blood lactate levels in horses with colic. The blood lactate level can be an indicator of disease severity and prognosis. The study found that the Accusport meter’s measurements are interchangeable with more traditional laboratory-based methods for blood lactate levels of less than 10 mmol/l, which falls within the range associated with survival.

Introduction and Methods

• The research aims to assess the use and accuracy of the Accusport lactate meter, a portable and inexpensive device for measuring blood lactate levels in horses suffering from colic. Blood lactate concentration rises due to anaerobic glycolysis and poor tissue perfusion tied with shock, making it a potential indicator of the severity and prognosis of disease in colic horses.
• The research uses data from a trial involving 10 control horses and 48 colic horses. The blood lactate levels were recorded along with other clinical variables such as heart rate, capillary refill time, haematocrit, and pain severity during the initial assessment of the horses.
• The study also recorded the chosen therapeutic management method (medical or surgical) and the eventual outcome of each case (full recovery, euthanasia, or death).

Results

• The Accusport lactate meter was found to be as reliable as traditional enzymatic kits used in laboratories for measuring blood lactate levels in horses with colic, provided the measurement is less than 10 mmol/l. This range is associated with survival in horses with colic.
• Another laboratory-based wet chemical assay for blood lactate, the Stat 7, was also evaluated and found to be interchangeable with enzymatic kits.
• No direct link was observed between blood lactate values and other parameters like heart rate, capillary refill time, haematocrit, and pain assessment. The study also found no relationship between blood lactate levels and the chosen therapeutic method or the eventual case outcome.
• All horses with blood lactate levels higher than 8 mmol/l eventually died or were euthanized.

Significance of the Study

• This research affirms the potential of using the Accusport lactate meter as a useful tool in clinical evaluations for colic in horses.
• The findings can help improve the initial assessment and treatment decision-making process for horses with colic, thereby potentially enhancing their prognosis.