Oxygen saturation measurements in canine blood containing hemoglobin glutamer-200 (bovine): In vitro validation of the NOVA CO-Oximeter

This study was designed to validate in vitro oxygen saturation (SO2) measurements with the NOVA CO-Oximeter (Nova Biomedical Corp, Waltham, Mass, USA) in canine blood containing hemoglobin (Hb) glutamer-200 bovine (Hb-200; Oxyglobin, Biopure, Cambridge, Mass, USA) as a Hb-based oxygen carrier recently introduced into clinical practice. In the first set of experiments, stored blood from 6 mixed-breed canine blood donors was used. Target Po-2 levels were reached in aliquots of blood samples by tonometry. Oxygen saturation was then measured with the test device and calculated based on known Po-2 values. In the second set of experiments, total oxygen content was directly measured by means of an oxygen-specific electrode in aliquots of fresh whole arterial, venous, and mixed (arterial-venous) blood withdrawn from the same canine blood donors. Hb-200 was added to those blood samples to yield plasma Hb concentrations of 1.62, 3.25, 6.50, and 9.75 g/dL. Based on Hb content and SO2 measured by the NOVA CO-Oximeter in these samples, total oxygen content was also calculated for each sample and compared with measured values. A strong correlation was found between SO2 values measured with the co-oximeter in samples after tonometry, and calculated SO2 based on known Po-2. Directly measured total blood O-2 content varied by less than or equal to5% from values computed based on co-oximeter measurements of Hb content and SO2. These results did not change with different levels of oxygenation of the samples or different plasma Hb-200 concentrations. In conclusion, the NOVA CO-Oximeter is an accurate analyzer for measurement of SO2 after Hb-200 administration to canine blood. (C) 2001 American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology.