venous blood gas

[dragonfly99]

It seems that venous blood gases are drawn fairly frequently in the ER. As a cardiology fellow (formerly IM resident, of course) it's not something we use a lot in our specialty. I was just wondering how useful your find these, and are they frequently done just because it's easier than getting an ABG, less invasive, etc.? Is this mainly done to check the pH?

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[quagmire223]

yep, and the other values too besides PCO2 / PO2. If you're looking for something in a patient with true respiratory failure, it won't really be accurate. But everything else is roughly accurate. some institutions do them routinely when drawing initial bloods because of extreme frustration with the number of "hemolyzed" specimens that come back in the labs and you can get fairly accurate electrolyte values.

 

[takotsubo]

ABGs friggin hurt...

 

[deleted109597]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=673258

VBGs are easier on the patients and staff than ABGs.

Although I've gotten onto just ordering serum pH (venous) for my DKAs, as the calculated bicarb in the VBG doesn't do much for me.

 

[Arcan57]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=673258

VBGs are easier on the patients and staff than ABGs.

Although I've gotten onto just ordering serum pH (venous) for my DKAs, as the calculated bicarb in the VBG doesn't do much for me.

I think the bicarb comes from the same random generator that produces all that ST elevation on rhythm strips that disappear when you get a 12-lead.

 

[Kubed]

I think the bicarb comes from the same random generator that produces all that ST elevation on rhythm strips that disappear when you get a 12-lead.

 

[Venko]

The VBG is excellent for assessing acid base status, but if I need to assess oxygenation such as to adjust a ventilator, then I continue to go with ABGs.

ABGs not only are painful, but have a small potential harm to the arterial supply of the hand when performed. If we have a test that can give me all my necessary information without taking that risk, then we should do it because it is the best thing for the patient.

Lastly, I find most people when getting an ABG or ordering an ABG have not checked to make sure that patient has an intact ulnar vessel....its not good medicine in my opinion.

TL