Evaluation of the HemoCue for measuring intra-operative haemoglobin concentrations: a comparison with the Coulter Max-M.
We compared haemoglobin concentration values obtained using a portable haemoglobinometer, the HemoCue, in the operating theatre with the results obtained by the Coulter Max-M in the laboratory. Haemoglobin concentrations were measured on 52 arterial blood samples obtained from 13 patients during aortic surgery, in theatre with the HemoCue and again by the Coulter Max-M. Twenty routine samples from the laboratory were also analysed by both methods. There was no significant difference between results, with a mean of 10.94 g.dl-1 and 10.90 g.dl-1 for the HemoCue and Coulter, respectively (p = 0.12, t = -1.99, df = 70). The limits of agreement of the two methods (mean difference +/- 2 SD) were -0.37 and +0.45 g.dl-1. The coefficients of repeatability of the 20 samples analysed in duplicate on each device were 0.26 g.dl-1 and 0.33 g.dl-1, respectively. The coefficients of variance were 0.74% (HemoCue) and 0.93% (Coulter). With adequate training and monitoring, the HemoCue provides comparable haemoglobin results for near-patient testing in theatre.
Lardi
A M
AM
Department of Surgery, South Manchester University Hospitals Trust, West Didsbury, Manchester, UK.
Hirst
C
C
Mortimer
A J
AJ
McCollum
C N
CN
D001011:Aorta / Q000601:surgery; D006452:Hemoglobinometry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D007430:Intraoperative Care / Q000295:instrumentation*; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D015203:Reproducibility of Results