[A method of automated blood gas analysis].

Abstract

To determine the primary test parameters pH, pCO2 and pO2 one blood sample smaller than 250 microliters is necessary. In general the computer aided check of analyser's functions ensures a high quality of analytic. Nevertheless measurements can be erroneous. Therefore a control independent of the analyser's one is necessary. Blood equilibrated with defined test gases is recommended as control material for pCO2 and pO2 measurement. For control of pH measurement buffer solutions are to be used. The comparison of several analysers is an alternative method of quality control. The approximated validity of computed parameters is explained by the way of the examples oxygen saturation (O2sat) and oxygen concentration (cO2). To calculate them exactly some complemental informations (P0.5, cHb) would be needed. These informations can not be estimated by blood gas analysis. It is pointed to the different importance of the parameters pO2, O2sat and cO2 for evaluation of lung function and oxygen supply in tissue.