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Articles and journal scans about Blood gases/acid-base
Journal Scan
October 2009
Lactate and anion gap in sepsis
As a global marker of tissue oxygenation serum lactate measurement has proven its usefulness in monitoring the critically ill. It has also proved useful as a screening tool for sepsis in the emergency room.
However, lactate measurement is not always readily available. Increased lactate is a common cause of raised...
Blood gases/acid-base
Infection/sepsis
Article
October 2009
Clinical aspects of pleural fluid pH
Pleural effusion, defined as excess fluid in the pleural space, can complicate the course of a large and pathologically diverse range of pulmonary and non-pulmonary diseases. Laboratory analysis of pleural fluid provides much useful information for the clinician whose diagnostic challenge is the patient presenting...
Point-of-care testing
Blood gases/acid-base
Glucose
Lactate
Hemoglobins
Article
July 2009
Clinical aspects of the anion gap
The anion gap (AG) is a calculated parameter derived from measured serum/plasma electrolyte concentrations. The clinical value of this calculated parameter is the main focus of this article.
Both increased and reduced anion gap have clinical significance, but the deviation from normal that has most clinical...
Electrolytes
Blood gases/acid-base
Glucose
Lactate
Creatinine/urea
Kidneys/fluids
Article
June 2009
Acute care testing at the point-of-care: now and in the future
The field of point-of-care testing (POCT) is entering a period of rapid expansion. This expansion is being driven by new evidence for clinical effectiveness of POCT, and new technologies that allow consolidation of testing onto smaller platforms.
Technological improvements will also lead to increased accuracy for...
Glucose
Blood gases/acid-base
Point-of-care testing
Quality assurance
Lactate
Creatinine/urea
Hemoglobins
Kidneys/fluids
Journal Scan
April 2009
Blood gases on Mount Everest
The lowest ever recorded arterial oxygen tension (pO2) was just one result of a series of remarkable physiological investigations conducted on Mount Everest that included arterial blood gas analysis at an altitude of 8,400 m (27,599 ft) above sea level, just 484 m short of the summit.
At this high altitude the...
Blood gases/acid-base
Journal Scan
April 2009
Is oxygen therapy for myocardial infarction beneficial
The notion that increased oxygen delivery limits ischemic damage to the myocardium during myocardial infarction seems, on the face of it, highly plausible. Perhaps not surprising, then, that for the best part of a century administration of oxygen has been a routine component of medical care for many patients suffering ...
Blood gases/acid-base
Journal Scan
April 2009
Book Review: Arterial Blood Gas Analysis - an easy learning guide
Of all tests performed on patient blood samples, arterial blood gases (ABGs) are conceptually probably the most complex. An understanding of the clinical significance of the measured and derived parameters generated by blood gas machines depends on a basic knowledge of so many topics, including acid-base theory,...
Blood gases/acid-base
Journal Scan
April 2009
pO2 versus SpO2 in premature neonates
Premature neonates frequently have inadequate respiratory function and require oxygen therapy during the weeks after birth. Since they are also exquisitely vulnerable to oxygen toxicity, careful monitoring of oxygen status is an essential component of neonatal intensive care.
Measuring % oxygen saturation by pulse...
Blood gases/acid-base
Neonatology
Journal Scan
April 2009
Correcting potassium concentration of hemolyzed samples
Hemolysis, the breakdown of erythrocyte (red-cell) membranes, can occur in vivo as a result of disease, or more commonly in vitro when it is most usually a consequence of poor blood collection or sample handling technique.
Hemolysis is of significance for laboratory staff because it results in the release of...
Blood gases/acid-base
Preanalytical phase
Article
April 2009
Using "lean" process mapping to integrate testing to point(s) of care in the clinical enterprise
As point-of-care applications of lab testing demand more rapid and clinically integrated order entry and results-reporting processes, it becomes paramount for the laboratory to investigate entire clinical processes.
Direct observation and process mapping of these clinical applications – end to end - are "lean" tools...
Blood gases/acid-base
Point-of-care testing
Process optimization
Creatinine/urea