The Blood gas analysis is one of the diagnostic methods. She gives u. a. Insight into the gas distribution of carbon dioxide and oxygen.
What is blood gas analysis?
For blood gas analysis (BGA) is a blood test. This procedure measures the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood.
This gives the examining doctor information about the state of health of the heart and lungs. An excess of carbon dioxide or a lack of oxygen can make the blood "acidic". In addition, the blood gas analysis is used to determine the pH value. It is also used for various metabolic diseases in order to either determine or control them.
A blood gas analysis usually examines arterial blood, which is normally obtained from the femoral artery or the radial artery by arterial puncture, or capillary blood, which is taken from the fingertip. If you have special questions, you can also examine venous blood. The blood sample is evaluated by machines. The results of the examination are usually available after just a few minutes. The BGA devices are suitable for immediate diagnosis close to the patient.
Function, effect & goals
When a person breathes in, oxygen (O2) reaches their lungs. When you exhale, on the other hand, it emits carbon dioxide (CO2). The breathing process continues within the body. This is how the oxygen binds to the red blood cells. It is also transported to the organs, where it is exchanged for carbon dioxide, which flows back to the lungs with the blood. There the person then breathes it out.
A partial control of the acid-base balance also takes place via the carbon dioxide. For this reason, the acid-base balance can also be recorded with the blood gases. If there is difficulty in breathing, the doctor can use a blood gas analysis to determine whether this is caused by a lack of oxygen and how severe it is.
A blood gas analysis is performed on people who suffer from severe respiratory and pulmonary dysfunction. For example, if the circulatory system breaks down, the emergency doctor uses a blood gas analysis to determine the oxygen saturation. A blood gas analysis is also important for people with certain metabolic diseases, as they have to be checked regularly. The blood gas value can also be influenced by chronic kidney diseases. Sometimes the blood is also affected by harmless infections such as gastrointestinal flu, which increases blood values. The reason for this is a loss of fluid. It occurs due to diarrhea and vomiting.
If a person is in the mountains, this temporarily leads to a blood level that is too low. The oxygen content in the mountains is lower than usual. However, there is no reason for concern because the value normalizes again as soon as the person returns to his familiar environment.
Regular blood gas analysis is also carried out in coma patients who are ventilated artificially. The doctors primarily check the oxygen content. This control enables the patient to be ventilated effectively. An increase in the amount of oxygen takes place if the oxygen value is too low.
A blood gas analysis is carried out by taking blood. To do this, a small prick is made on the fingertip or on the earlobe of the test person. Arterial blood can also be drawn, but this is more uncomfortable for the patient. The doctor has to draw the blood from a forearm artery, for which he uses a hollow needle. The thin needle is inserted into the artery and the blood is drawn into a hollow tube. To prevent bleeding, the patient presses a cotton swab firmly onto the puncture site for a few minutes.
Thanks to modern medical methods, blood gas analysis is now also possible without taking blood. For this purpose, the patient is given a special chip that resembles a clothespin. This is attached to his fingertip. On one side of the clip there is a light source that shines through the finger. On the other hand, the clip is equipped with a photo electrode, which measures the number of light components. The clip is connected to a computer that has the function of determining the saturation value. Such a clip is usually used in an intensive care unit, where the patient is monitored around the clock. Ambulances of emergency doctors also have such a clip.
The blood drawn is analyzed in a laboratory device within 60 minutes. When the device has finished the evaluation, it prints it out on a connected printer. The doctor can then see the results of the examination.
Risks, side effects & dangers
A blood gas analysis does not have to worry about major side effects. In some people, the puncture site can become infected. If arterial blood is drawn, there is a risk of a bruise (hematoma). However, since this is harmless, it goes back on its own after a few days. If necessary, the person concerned receives an ointment from the doctor. By applying them, the bruise disappears faster. If a clip is used for blood gas analysis, there are no side effects at all.
The costs for a blood gas analysis are covered by the health insurance companies. It does not matter whether the examination is carried out in a hospital or by the treating doctor. If a surgical procedure is to take place, an appropriate suitability test must first be carried out, which also includes a blood gas analysis. The health insurance companies also cover the costs for this BGA.
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