Continuous Bluetooth pulse oximetry monitoring in conscious and anesthetized horses: a pilot study.

Wireless Bluetooth nostril pulse oximetry is accurate and well-tolerated for continuous oxygen monitoring in nonhypoxemic horses.

This pilot study evaluated the feasibility, patient tolerance, and accuracy of a wireless Bluetooth pulse oximeter applied to the nostril of horses for continuous, prolonged monitoring. A prospective case-control design enrolled 7 horses at risk of hypoxemia and 7 healthy controls. The sensor was secured to the nostril and monitored for durations ranging from 28 to 492 minutes (median 356 minutes). Eleven of 14 horses retained the sensor throughout the observation period, demonstrating good patient tolerance. Valid data capture rates were high, averaging 98.17% across subjects. Accuracy was assessed via Bland-Altman analysis using 49 paired arterial blood gas (SaO2) and pulse oximetry (SpO2) measurements. The device slightly overestimated oxygen saturation with a bias of 1.16%, a precision of 1.83%, and an accuracy root mean square (ARMS) of 2.15%, meeting the generally accepted clinical threshold of ≤3-4% ARMS. These results indicate good agreement between SpO2 and SaO2 in nonhypoxemic horses. Limitations include the small sample size, the pilot nature of the study, and the absence of hypoxemic conditions during data collection, which prevents conclusions about performance during desaturation events. The authors conclude that wireless Bluetooth pulse oximetry is a practical, well-tolerated, and accurate alternative to repeated arterial blood gas sampling in conscious, nonhypoxemic horses requiring prolonged oxygenation monitoring. Further research in hypoxemic animals is warranted to fully validate clinical utility.

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