Arterial blood gases
Arterial Blood Gases
Arterial blood gases (ABGs) are a group of tests performed on blood taken from an artery that measure the levels of certain gases (such as oxygen and carbon dioxide) and the pH of the blood. Pronunciation: /ɑːˈtɪərɪəl blʌd ɡæsɪz/
Etymology
The term "arterial blood gases" is derived from the words "arterial" (pertaining to the arteries), "blood" (the circulating fluid in the body), and "gases" (referring to the oxygen and carbon dioxide measured in the test).
Definition
Arterial blood gases (ABGs) are a series of measurements used to assess the oxygenation, ventilation, and acid-base balance of the blood. They are typically measured in a laboratory from a sample of arterial blood, most commonly obtained from the radial artery.
Components
The main components of an ABG test include:
- Partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2): This measures the pressure of oxygen dissolved in the blood and how well oxygen is able to move from the air sacs of the lungs into the blood.
- Partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2): This measures the pressure of carbon dioxide dissolved in the blood and how well carbon dioxide is able to move out of the body.
- Bicarbonate (HCO3): This measures the amount of bicarbonate in the blood. Bicarbonate is a chemical that helps prevent the pH of blood from becoming too acidic or too basic.
- pH: This measures the acidity (hydrogen ion concentration) of the blood.
Related Terms
- Acidosis: A condition characterized by excessive acid in the body fluids, often assessed using ABGs.
- Alkalosis: A condition characterized by excessive base (alkali) in the body fluids, often assessed using ABGs.
- Hypoxemia: A condition characterized by low levels of oxygen in the blood, often detected by ABGs.
- Hypercapnia: A condition characterized by excessive carbon dioxide in the bloodstream, typically caused by inadequate respiration and often detected by ABGs.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Arterial blood gases
- Wikipedia's article - Arterial blood gases
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