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Blood gas analysis is a diagnostic blood test performed under laboratory conditions. Its purpose is to identify and trace disturbances in the acid-base balance, as well as in the gas exchange of the organism. Blood gas analysis is used to diagnose respiratory failure and to assess gas exchange in humans.
Gazometria blood is performed to diagnose and monitor COPD, acid-base disturbances in the body, and to detect asthma.
This type of examination is recommended for people suffering from kidney and liver diseases, after acute infections, as well as for patients showing symptoms of acid-base imbalance, after head and neck injuries, general anesthesia, brain surgery and in the case of problems with normal breathing.
Gazometria blood is to take a blood sample from an artery in your thigh, wrist, or upper arm. A capillary sample, i.e. from the fingertips or ear lobes, may also be collected. The collection must be done with a heparinized syringe which must be closed immediately – blood gas must not come into contact with air!
Eight parameters are measured in the test: pH (negative decimal logarithm of the concentration of hydrogen ions), PaCO2, pCO2 (partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood), HCO3-akt (concentration of plasma bicarbonate), HCO3-std (standard concentration of bicarbonate), BE (excess or deficiency of alkalis – the difference between the appropriate and current concentration of buffer bases in the blood), PaO2, pO2 (oxygen partial pressure in the arterial blood), ctCO2 (total plasma carbon dioxide), SpO2, SaO2 (saturation – oxygen saturation of hemoglobin ).
Gazometria has norms for each of the parameters. With each of them, an increase and a decrease may indicate a disease or be a disturbing symptom of organism dysfunction. For example, a drop in the pH value indicates acidosis.
Gazometria does not require any prior preparation. The only exception is people undergoing oxygen therapy. In this case, they should not change the oxygen concentration in the blood 20 minutes before blood gas sampling.
Blood gas analysis in a newborn
Gazometria in a newborn baby is a test performed shortly after birth. Its purpose is to assess the efficiency of the breathing process. It allows for immediate detection of disorders and then appropriate treatment. Unlike adults, umbilical cord blood is analyzed here. We do not perform an examination in every case, but only in children with suspected respiratory disorders (ZZO). It occurs in about 10 percent. newborns. Symptoms that may indicate its existence are observed in the 1st, 5th and 10th minutes of the child’s life and recorded using the Apgar scale.
Five parameters are assessed in newborns: pH, pO2, SpO2 and SaO2, HCO2 and BE. The norms are different than for adults, and the results are interpreted by a doctor.
Gasometry can be performed in any medical analysis laboratory. The examination is payable – its cost is about PLN 25. Usually a referral is needed. You should go to the doctor who ordered the test with the results.