Accuracy and precision of a point-of-care hemoglobinometer for measuring hemoglobin concentration and estimating packed cell volume in horses.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To determine accuracy and precision of a point-of-care hemoglobinometer for measuring hemoglobin concentration and estimating PCV in horses.

DESIGN:

Prospective trial.

ANIMALS:

55 horses.

PROCEDURE:

Blood samples were obtained from 43 horses examined at a veterinary teaching hospital. Hemoglobin concentration was measured with the hemoglobinometer and by means of the standard cyanmethemoglobin method; PCV was measured by centrifugation. Blood samples were also obtained from 12 healthy horses, and PCV of aliquots of these samples was altered to approximately 5 to 80% by removing or adding plasma. Hemoglobin concentration and PCV were then measured.

RESULTS:

For samples from the clinic patients, hemoglobin concentrations obtained with the hemoglobinometer were less than concentrations obtained with the cyanmethemoglobin method; however, there was a linear relationship between concentrations obtained with the 2 methods. Breed, sex, body weight, and duration of sample storage did not significantly affect the difference between hemoglobin concentrations obtained with the 2 methods. There was a significant linear relationship between PCV and hemoglobinometer hemoglobin concentration (PCV = [2.83 x hemoglobin concentration] - 0.62). For samples from the healthy horses, a substantial negative bias was evident with the hemoglobinometer when hemoglobin concentration exceeded 16 g/dL.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE:

Results suggest that this hemoglobinometer is reasonably accurate and precise when used to measure hemoglobin concentration in blood samples from horses with a hemoglobin concentration < 16 g/dL.

• Authors: Helene Chevalier, Lysa P Posner, John W Ludders, Tracy W French, Hollis N Erb, Robin D Gleed
• Journal: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (J Am Vet Med Assoc) Vol. 223 Issue 1 Pg. 78-83 (Jul 01 2003) ISSN: 0003-1488 [Print] United States
• PMID: 12839068 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Hemoglobins
• cyanomethemoglobin
• Methemoglobin

Topics

• Animals
• Female
• Hematocrit (veterinary)
• Hematologic Diseases (blood, veterinary)
• Hemodilution
• Hemoglobinometry (instrumentation, methods, veterinary)
• Hemoglobins (analysis)
• Horse Diseases (blood)
• Horses (blood)
• Male
• Methemoglobin (analogs & derivatives, analysis)
• Prospective Studies
• Regression Analysis
• Sensitivity and Specificity