Assessment of clinical application of pulse oximetry probes in llamas and alpacas. Issue 3 (11th July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Grubb, Tamara L.; Anderson, David E.
• Is Part Of: Veterinary medicine and science. Volume 3:Issue 3(2017)
• Page Start: 169
• Page End: 175
• Publication Date: 2017-07-11
• Subjects: alpaca -- llama -- pulse oximetry probe; Veterinary medicine -- Periodicals; Animal Diseases; Veterinary medicine; Periodicals; Periodicals; 636.08905
• DOI: 10.1002/vms3.68
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2053-1095

Abstract

Abstract: The placement and accuracy of pulse oximeter probes can vary markedly among species. For our study, we aimed to assess the accuracy of pulse oximetry and to determine the most clinically useful sites for probe placement in llamas and alpacas. The objectives included an analysis of pulse oximetry probes for accurate assessment of llamas and alpacas and to determine the best placement of the probes to achieve accurate readings. For study 1, saturation of haemoglobin with oxygen was measured in 184 arterial blood gas samples (SaO2 ) using a co‐oximeter and compared to saturation of haemoglobin with oxygen simultaneously measured using a pulse oximeter (Sp O2 ). The bias and precision for the SpO2 ‐Sa O2 difference was calculated and plotted on a Bland‐Altman plot. For study 2, Sp O2 data was collected 624 times from a variety of sites [tongue (T), nasal septum (NS), lip (L), vulva (V), prepuce (P), ear (E), and scrotum (S)] and recorded based upon a percentage of successful readings. Results for study 1 revealed that Sp O2 was consistently 0 to −6% points different than Sa O2 . The bias and precision of the Sp O2 –Sa O2 difference was −2.6 ± 1.7%. Results for study 2 uncovered that 540 recordings were successful readings and were obtained from the tongue and nasal septum with 97% accuracy, the lip 80%, vulva 62%, prepuce 59%, ear and scrotum < 50%. We concluded that pulse oximetry probes provide reliable estimates of arterial haemoglobin oxygen saturation in llamas and alpacas and is most accurately read when placed on the nasal septum or tongue. Abstract : In this study, we examined the accuracy and reliability of pulse oximetry and pulse oximeter probes used in llamas and alpacas. In spite of the inherent differences in camelid RBC indices, pulse oximeters provide reliable, repeatable estimates of arterial haemoglobin saturation in camelids. Data are most accurate when the pulse oximeter probe is placed on the nasal septum (C‐clamp) or the tongue (clip clamp), although copious saliva production can make frequent repositioning on the tongue necessary.