TO FIND OUT THE CONCORDANCE OF VALUES OF ELECTROLYTES OBTAINED ON POINT OF CARE MACHINE LIKE ARTERIAL BLOOD GAS (ABG) ANALYSER AND ON LABORATORY AUTO ANALYSER (AA)

Abstract

Background: Precise estimation of Electrolytes in the blood is of immense value in critical care. Electrolytes estimations done on Arterial blood gas analyser (ABG) are ready in 5 minutes on Arterial blood along with other parameters. Venous blood electrolytes can be done on biochemistry fully autoanalyser  (AA) in 15 to 20 minutes.

Aims/Objectives: To find concordance in the values of electrolytes obtained fast on ABG verses that done on AA in 15 to 20 mts. To find which method is more reliable .

Methods: This was a retrospective study of Electrolyte value estimations done on patients admitted in ICU from during the period 8 Months.  Of 1160 total test samples, 105 cases of simultaneous arterial and venous samples of same patients were obtained and studied. We measured the values on Radiometer pHOx Stat Profile Plus L blood gas analyzer ABG(Arterial blood) and on Roche Modular P autoanalyzer, Labroratory  Biochemistry  AA(Venous) blood. The data thus obtained was statistically scrutinized and compared.

Results: The mean Sodium concentration was 137.89 mmol (SD 11.1 mmol/L ) using the ABG and 144.23 mmol/L (SD 10.05 mmol/L) using the AA.(P ?0.05). The mean Pottasium  level was 3.23 mmol/L(SD 0.48 mol/L) using the ABG and 3.52 mmol/L(SD 0.36 mmol/L) on AA (P ?0.05). Comparison between values of same patients was done and the concordance between the values was obtained.

Conclusion: Use of ABG machines for the estimation of Potassium is accurate. More research is needed for Sodium and Chloride test done on ABG machine. Every institute should establish their own protocol for acceptance of the results obtained by ABGs and AA.

Key Words: Arterial blood gas analyser, Autoanalyser, Potassium, Sodium