A validation of Hemo_Vet, a portable hemoglobinometer, in dogs

Abstract

Determinations of hemoglobin (Hb) levels and packed cell volumes (PCV) can be performed by various methods, including rapid testing using a portable hemoglobinometer. As a simple method that requires small blood samples and provides results in seconds, the utilization of portable hemoglobinometers has become increasingly widespread. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of the Hemo_ Vet, a portable hemoglobinometer, in Hb measurements and PCV determinations in dogs. A total of 100 blood samples were used to compare the Hb and PCV values provided by the Hemo_Vet with those obtained using an automatic hematology analyzer (BC2800VET) and the microhematocrit technique. The Bland-Altman method was used for data analysis. Bland-Altman analysis revealed a high level of agreement between the Hb values obtained from the BC2800VET and those obtained using the Hemo_ Vet. The bias was close to zero (0.17), and although it was statistically significant (p = 0.0003), it unlikely would result in any clinically significant effects. The differences in the PCV values generated using the hemoglobinometer and the BC2800VET technique and those generated using the hemoglobinometer and microhematocrit technique exhibited a bias of 7.80 and 2.80, respectively, indicating a high degree of variability between these methods. In addition, the hemoglobinometer was not able to determine PCV values below 18% and above 59%. The precision, standard deviation and coefficients of variation for the device all showed low variation. These results indicate that the hemoglobinometer exhibits good precision and fulfills its primary purpose, which is to measure Hb levels. However, this device was less effective in determining PCV values, where it exhibited high level of variation in both methods of comparison. These results revealed the need to change the conversion factor for estimations of PCV values from 2.94 to 3.54 for dogs. analisador automático hematológico (BC2800VET) e pela técnica do microematócrito. Para análise dos dados foi utilizada a metodologia de Bland-Altman. Ao comparar os valores de Hb obtidos pelo aparelho BC2800VET com os valores obtidos pelo Hemo_Vet através do gráfico de Bland-Altman, observou-se alta concordância entre os métodos, com um viés muito próximo de zero (0,17), e que apesar de ser estatisticamente significativo (p=0,0003), não tem importância clínica. Na avaliação da concordância entre o Hemo_Vet e o aparelho BC2800VET e entre o Hemo_Vet e a técnica do microematócrito na estimativa do VG, o viés obtido foi 7,8 e 2,8 respectivamente, indicando grande variação entre os métodos. Além disso, o hemoglobinômetro não foi capaz de determinar valores de VG abaixo de 18% e acima de 59%. Na avaliação da precisão do aparelho, os desvios-padrão e coeficientes de variação indicaram pouca variação.. Os resultados obtidos indicam que o hemoglobinômetro portátil Hemo_Vet possui boa precisão e cumpre o seu principal propósito, que é a dosagem de Hb. Já para a estimativa do VG, não se mostrou muito eficaz, por a...