Hemorheology Reference Intervals in Healthy Dogs Using the MIZAR Analyzer.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Hemorheology is used in human medicine but remains largely unexplored in veterinary medicine. The assessment of RBC rheology holds potential for diagnosing, monitoring, and predicting outcomes in veterinary species. Reference intervals (RIs) are needed before clinical assessment of the method. OBJECTIVES: Determine RIs for hemorheological parameters in dogs, compare RIs generated at 620 versus 800 nm wavelengths, as well as RIs generated with and without following ASVCP guidelines. METHODS: Whole blood was sampled on EDTA tubes from healthy dogs and run on the MIZAR Analyzer for 13 parameters (DI, Int (d), PEAK, AI, Int (a), AMP, BpL, Bp, BpH, T½, OTF, OT, ED). After outlier removal considerations, the normality of distribution was assessed, and RIs were calculated using parametric or non-parametric methods (ASVCP guidelines). RIs performed at 620 and 800 nm, with and without following ASVCP guidelines, were compared. RESULTS: RIs were established for rheology parameters at 620 and 800 nm in a population of 42 healthy dogs. 5/13 parameters had nearly identical RI limits between 620 and 800 nm; others showed an overt shift at 800 nm toward higher values for both RI limits. Reference intervals showed similar results whether ASVCP guidelines were followed or not for 7/13 parameters, namely when data had a Gaussian distribution and contained a maximum of one outlier. For the remaining parameters, RIs calculated without following ASVCP guidelines differed significantly and were considered unsuitable for clinical use. CONCLUSIONS: Specific RIs were established for 620 and 800 nm wavelengths. Compliance with ASVCP guidelines was deemed necessary.