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Test Code VGAS or LAB2115 Blood Gas, Venous Blood

Important Note

This testing can only be collected at the following locations:

BMH, BBC, BLH AND BSH MAIN HOSPITAL DRAW SITES

 

An arterial blood gas (ABG) is the traditional method of estimating the systemic carbon dioxide tension and pH, usually to assess ventilation and/or acid-base status. However, an ABG requires a sample of arterial blood, which can be challenging to obtain. A venous blood gas (VBG) is an alternative method of estimating systemic carbon dioxide and pH that does not require arterial blood sampling.

A VBG can be performed using a peripheral venous sample (obtained by venipuncture), a central venous sample (obtained from a central venous catheter), or a mixed venous sample (obtained from the distal port of a pulmonary artery catheter).

Profile Information

Test ID  

Reporting Name

Available Separately

Always Performed

TEMP*

Temperature

 N Y

HGB

Hemoglobin

N

Y

PH, Ven

pH, Venous

 Y Y

PCO2, Ven

pCO2, Venous

 N Y

PO2, Ven

pO2, Venous

 N Y

HCO3

HCO3

 N Y

OXYHGB, Ven

Oxyhemoglobin, Venous

N

Y

BBE or BBD

Base Excess or Base Deficient

N

Y

Specimen Requirements

Container Type:

Heparinized syringe, venous blood

 

 

Alternative: Heparinized capillary tube
Optimal Collection Volume: 

One syringe (2 mL whole blood)
Minimum Volume: 0.5 mL
Collection Instructions:
  1. Patient should be in a supine position and relaxed.
  2. Once the specimen is collected, send it promptly to the lab.
Specimen Transport:

Refrigerate
Processing Instructions: 
  1. Bring the specimen directly to chemistry and place it in the ice bin.
  2. Keep the specimen on ice until it is ready for testing.

Specimen Stability

Assay as soon as possible. Specimens are stable at room temperature for 30 minutes and 2 hours on ice.

Specimen Rejection Criteria

Quantity not sufficient

Useful For

Evaluating acid-base status

 

Evaluating disturbances in the partial pressure of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the blood

Methodology

Radiometer ABL 825

  • pH and pCO2 - Potentiometric
  • pO2 - Amperometric
  • HCO3 - Calculated result
  • Hemoglobin parameters - Optical system

Reference Ranges

 Test ID  

Reference Range and Reporting Units

HGB

Gender and age-specific*

PH

7.32-7.42

PCO2

41-51 mm[Hg]

PO2

25-40 mm[Hg]

HCO3

21-28 mmol/L

OXYHGB

40-70 %

 Please click the Bronson Critical Values link to view Critical Values

 

* For HGB reference ranges, please link the Hematology Reference Ranges link.

Day(s) Performed

24/7

Expected TAT

Same day

Performing Laboratory

Bronson Laboratory, Chemistry - Kalamazoo, Paw Paw, South Haven

Bronson Respiratory - Battle Creek

Sample Retention Time

Samples are discarded once per shift (every 8 hours)

CPT Code

82805