Abstract

INTRODUCTION

In this study, we aimed to compare blood gas analysis results obtained with injection syringes washed with liquid sodium heparin and syringes containing dry lithium heparin. Additionally, it was also aimed to investigate the compliance of blood gas parameters with laboratory results.

METHODS

This prospective study was performed of patients who underwent complete blood count and glucose, urea, creatinine, electrolyte levels along with venous blood gas analysis due to any cause in emergency department admission. Blood samples were transferred to blood gas syringe containing dry lithium heparin and plastic syringe washed with liquid sodium heparin. Blood gas analyses were performed within five minutes after venous blood gas samples were taken. The demographic data of the patients, blood gas analysis results obtained with injection syringes washed with liquid sodium heparin and syringes containing dry lithium heparin and serum hemoglobin, sodium, potassium, calcium and glucose levels were evaluated.

RESULTS

A hundred patients were included in the study. 52 patients were male (52%) and the mean age was 60.3 ± 17.1 years. The blood gas analysis results obtained by liquid and dry-heparin syringes were found to be correlated with each other except calcium values. Intraclass correlation coefficient of pH, partial pressure of carbon dioxide and partial pressure of oxygen parameters from blood gas analysis results obtained with liquid and dry heparin syringes were found to be high (0.989, 0.933, 0.948; respectively).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

There is no significant advantage of dry lithium heparin blood gas syringes over liquid sodium heparin washed syringes.