Arterial Blood Gas Profile (pH, pCO2, pO2, Base Excess, tCO2 and O2 Sat)

Code:
GASA

Sample Type:

Blood Gas (Arterial Blood in Heparinised Syringe) 

Ensure sample is well mixed and free from clots or air bubbles. 

Minimum volume: 1 mL

Ref Ranges/Units:

pH – 7.35 – 7.45 

pCO2 – 4.3 – 6.4 kPa 

pO2 –11.0 – 13.0 kPa 

Standard Base Excess (BE): -3 to +3 

Bicarbonate (tCO2) – 22-28 mmol/L  

O2 Sat – 94 – 98% 

Turnaround:

Within 30 minutes of receipt.

Special Precautions/Comments:

Please transport immediately to laboratory (via pneumatic tube system) for analysis within 30 minutes of sample collection.

Please ensure needle and shield is removed from gas syringe before sending to the laboratory.

Additional Information:

Arterial blood gases can be used to investigate lung function and acid-base disorders. Causes of acid base disorders include diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), sepsis, renal failure, respiratory disorders such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), and drug overdose.  

A blood gas profile includes:  

  • pH – can indicate an acidosis or alkalosis 
  • pCO2 – marker of ventilation, can indicate respiratory component of an acid-base disorder  
  • pO2 – marker of perfusion 
  • Base excess (BE) – calculated parameter, describes the metabolic component of an acid-base disturbance independently of changes in CO2 (low BE indicates a metabolic acidosis, high BE indicates a metabolic alkalosis, and a normal BE indicates a respiratory disturbance) 
  • tCO2 – also referred to as bicarbonate (HCO3) – can indicate metabolic component of an acid-base disorder 
  • O2 saturation  
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