Can the clinician trust blood gas for serum electrolyte levels?

Abstract

AimElectrolytes are charged elements required for proper cellular function in most tissues of the body. Almost all metabolic processes depend on or are performed by electrolytes. Electrolyte abnormalities may represent significant risks to life. Routinely, electrolytes are measured from serum samples using automated analysis devices in central laboratories. However, this process is time-consuming. In this study, we aimed to compare venous blood gas electrolyte, glucose, and hemoglobin values with serum laboratory results and investigate whether venous blood gas analysis can substitute serum measurements. MethodThis prospective cohort study included 418 adult patients aged 18–88 years who were admitted to the nephrology outpatient clinic. Demographic characteristics and comorbidities were recorded. Blood gas electrolyte, glucose, and hemoglobin values were compared with serum laboratory results. ResultsThe study included 174 female and 244 male patients. A statistically significant difference was observed between genders regarding both serum and blood gas hemoglobin values (P < .001). Strong positive correlations were detected between serum sodium, potassium, glucose, and hemoglobin values and corresponding blood gas measurements (P < .001; r = 0.764, P < .001; r = 0.867, P < .001; r = 0.969, P < .001; r = 0.846, respectively). The strongest correlation was observed between serum and blood gas glucose values, whereas the weakest correlation was observed between sodium values. ConclusionIn patients with chronic kidney disease and prominent fluid-electrolyte imbalance, emergency departments, intensive care units, and patients with life-threatening conditions may benefit from rapid blood gas testing for treatment planning until biochemical examination results become available.

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