Arterial Blood-Gas Analysis Interpretation and Application for the Nonchemist

Abstract

Introduction The interpretation and application of arterial blood-gas (ABG) data is a task that anesthesiologists must often perform under difficult circumstances. The time is 3:00 AM; we are fatigued and distracted by multiple other simultaneous tasks; we need to take action on these ABG results now. In this setting, which bears similarities to piloting an aircraft on instruments in bad weather, it is useful to have a simple algorithm or “check-list,” both to ensure consistency and obtain a correct answer within a short time. The purpose of this talk is to develop such an algorithm and apply it to specific clinical examples, wherein we shall interpret both oxygenation and acid-base status, and then prescribe appropriate treatment.