The ABG test is a specialized test that can only be done by experienced nurses. At Nosileia Tora, constantly developing our services, we now have the most reliable and modern blood gas machine in order to provide our patients with immediate and valid results at home.
ABG testing is now essential for prescribing an Oxygen Concentrator at home. The doctor is informed about the results immediately and we take care of it.
When is the blood gas test done?
By examining blood gases, we check the patient’s acid-base balance. In other words, we check blood oxygen, carbon dioxide and pH.
The cases in which blood gas testing is necessary are when the patient has a respiratory, metabolic or kidney problem.
Taking the blood gas test
The blood sample must be arterial and not venous. It is taken with a small needle, usually from the carotid artery in the wrist. Less often than the femoral artery.
The volume of blood necessary for the measurement is minimal and we need 120 seconds to receive the valid results.
The blood gas machine is connected via infrared to a printer that gives us the test values in the next 5 seconds.
Normal blood gas values
We measure directly, by inserting a sample (special cassette), the following blood gas parameters (pH, pO2, pCO2, HCO3, SO2, BE):
| TEST | UNITS | NORMAL VALUES |
|---|---|---|
| HCO3 (Bicarbonates) | mmol/L (mEq/L) | 1,0 – 85,0 |
| PCO2 (Carbon dioxide) | mmHg kPa | 35 – 45 4,67 – 6,00 |
| PO2 (Arterial oxygen) | mmHg kPa | 80 – 105 10,7 – 14,0 |
| pH | 7,35 – 7,45 | |
| sO2 (Arterial oxygen saturation) | % | 95 – 98 |
| BE (Base excess) | mmol/L (mEq/L) | (-2) – (+3) |
We measure additional electrolytes (K+ , Na+ , Ca+), as well as hematocrit and hemoglobin:
| TEST | UNITS | NORMAL VALUES |
|---|---|---|
| Sodium/Na+ (Sodium) | mmol/L (mEq/L) | 138 – 146 |
| Potassium/K (Potassium) | mmol/L (mEq/L) | 3,5 – 4,9 |
| Ionized Calcium/iCa (Calcium) | mmol/L mg/dL | 1,12 – 1,32 4,5 – 5,3 |
| Hct (Hematocrit) | %PCV | 38 – 51 |
| Hb (Hemoglobin) | g/dL g/L mmol/L | 12 – 17 120 – 170 7 – 11 |
Book your appointment now online here, or by calling at 2105710088 for Athens and 2310262888 for Thessaloniki.
