Mixed Venous - Blood Gas Reference Ranges

It could be that the only analyte with a significant interpretation difference is pO2 and that is why only that is included in the IFU?

We are looking at the issue of blood gas reference range at our institutions as well and although our laboratorian background has us compelled to provide a reference range, in reality blood gas values are used to monitor patient treatment and tracking of changes from the last time the patient was tested, rather than being a standalone tool to draw a definitive diagnosis on its own.  You would probably not be incorrect to simply adopt your venous reference range values to most of the mixed venous values.

Hi Anil,

I work in the Canadian province of Alberta. We have a standardized reporting system in place across the province for all blood gas testing. 

For central venous samples, we use the venous reference intervals for pH, pCO2, carboxyhemoglobin, methemoglobin, sodium, potassium, chloride, anion gap, hemoglobin, hematocrit, glucose, ionized calcium, and lactate. We do not include any reference intervals for pO2, HCO3, base excess, O2 saturation, and oxyhemoglobin. We append the following comment to every result panel: "Reference intervals for many POCT Central Venous Blood Gas components unavailable. Interpret results based on clinical presentation."

For mixed venous samples, we use the same approach The comment that we append to every result panel is as follows: "Reference intervals for many POCT Mixed Venous Blood Gas components unavailable. Interpret results based on clinical presentation."

This approach meets our local accreditation requirements.

Warm regards,

Anna

 

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 Anna Füzéry, PhD, DABCC, FCACB, CPP

POCT Medical Lead, Clinical Biochemistry, North Sector, Alberta Precision Laboratories

Associate Clinical Professor of Laboratory Medicine, University of Alberta 

Co-Director, Postdoctoral Clinical Biochemistry Fellowship Program, University of Alberta
   
 Department of Laboratory Medicine

Walter Mackenzie Center, Room 4B3.04

University of Alberta Hospital

8442-112 Street NW
 Edmonton, AB

Canada
 T6G 2B7
 Cell:  (780) 221 2707
 Email: anna.fuezery@aplabs.ca

Webpage: https://apps.ualberta.ca/directory/person/fuzery