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An arterial blood gas (ABG) test, or arterial blood gas analysis (ABGA) measures the amounts of arterial gases, such as oxygen and carbon dioxide.An ABG test requires that a small volume of blood be drawn from the radial artery with a syringe and a thin needle, [1] but sometimes the femoral artery in the groin or another site is used.
A blood gas test or blood gas analysis tests blood to measure blood gas tension values, it also measures blood pH, and the level and base excess of bicarbonate.The source of the blood is reflected in the name of each test; arterial blood gases come from arteries, venous blood gases come from veins and capillary blood gases come from capillaries. [1]
Arterial blood gases (ABGs) are a helpful measurement in pulmonary function testing in selected patients. The primary role of measuring ABGs in individuals that are healthy and stable is to confirm hypoventilation when it is suspected on the basis of medical history, such as respiratory muscle weakness or advanced COPD .
Base excess is defined as the amount of strong acid that must be added to each liter of fully oxygenated blood to return the pH to 7.40 at a temperature of 37°C and a pCO 2 of 40 mmHg (5.3 kPa). [2] A base deficit (i.e., a negative base excess) can be correspondingly defined by the amount of strong base that must be added.
Normal arterial blood oxygen saturation levels in humans are 96–100 percent. [1] If the level is below 90 percent, it is considered low and called hypoxemia . [ 2 ] Arterial blood oxygen levels below 80 percent may compromise organ function, such as the brain and heart, and should be promptly addressed.
Respiratory failure results from inadequate gas exchange by the respiratory system, meaning that the arterial oxygen, carbon dioxide, or both cannot be kept at normal levels. A drop in the oxygen carried in the blood is known as hypoxemia; a rise in arterial carbon dioxide levels is called hypercapnia. Respiratory failure is classified as ...
Hypoxemia is usually defined in terms of reduced partial pressure of oxygen (mm Hg) in arterial blood, but also in terms of reduced content of oxygen (ml oxygen per dl blood) or percentage saturation of hemoglobin (the oxygen-binding protein within red blood cells) with oxygen, which is either found singly or in combination. [2] [5]
This helps to determine the degree of any problems with how the lungs transfer oxygen to the blood. [5] A sample of arterial blood is collected for this test. [6] With a normal P a O 2 of 60–100 mmHg and an oxygen content of F I O 2 of 0.21 of room air, a normal P a O 2 /F I O 2 ratio ranges between 300 and 500 mmHg.