Abstract

BACKGROUND
To assess the acid-base status and to measure PO2 and PCO2, arterial blood gases (ABG) has been checked usually. We compared the venous blood gases (VBG) from dorsal vein of hand to ABG from radial artery, and tried to determine whether venous blood gas analysis (VBGA) could be the alternative of ABGA. METHODS: Thirty patients who needed continuous arterial pressure monitoring were chosen. At the completion of stability of HR and BP after induction of general inhalational anesthesia, the ABG from radial artery and VBG from dorsal vein of hand were compared. RESULTS: Laboratory findings were as follows (mean+/-SD): arterial pH, 7.44+/-0.04; venous pH, 7.43+/-0.04; arterial HCO3-, 25.56+/-2.39 mmol/L; venous HCO3-, 25.51+/-2.09 mmol/L. The mean values of arterial and venous PO2 were significantly different (247.8+/-48.9 mmHg versus 187.8+/-41.6 mmHg), but the arterial and venous PO2 values were significantly correlated (r=0.706). The PCO2 (r= 0.883), pH (r=0.912), and HCO3- (r=0.901) values, and base excesses of arterial and venous blood (r=0.926) were highly correlated. Also, arterial and venous serum electrolyte (sodium, potassium, and calcium) were highly correlated. CONCLUSIONS: Venous blood gas analysis from dorsal vein of hand can be effectively used as the alternative method to evaluate the acid-base status, PO2, and PCO2, instead of ABGA during general inhalational anesthesia.

• Keywords: Arterial bood gas;HCO3-;PCO2;pH;PO2;Venous blood gas;