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Arterial Blood Gas Sampling
Updated: May 19, 2016
Author: Mauricio Danckers, MD; Chief Eaitor: Vincent Lopez Rowe, MD more.
OVERVIEW
Background
Arteries are the large vessels that carry oxygenated blood away from the heart. The distribution ofthe
systemic arteries is like @ ramified tree, the common trunk of which, formed by the aorta, commences
at the left ventricle, while the smallest ramifications extend to the peripheral parts of the body and the
Contained organs. For more information about the relevant anatomy, see Arterial Supply Anatomy.
Arterial blood gas (ABG) sampling by direct vascular puncture is @ procedure often practiced in the
hospital setting. The relatively low incidence of major complications, "its ability to be performed at
the patient's bedside, and its rapid analysis make it an important tool used by physicians to direct and
redirect the treatment oftheir patients, especially n patients who are critically il, to determine gas
exchange levels in the blood related to respiratory, metabolic, and renal function,
‘ABG sampling is usually performer on the radial artery because the superficial anatomie provontation
Of this vessel makes it easily accessible. However, this should be done only after it has been
demonstrated that there is sufficient collateral blood supply to the hand. In cases where distal
perfusion is compromised and distal pulses are diminished, femoral or brachial artery puncture can be
performed instead.
The brachial artery commences at the lower margin of the tendon of the teres major. Passing down
the arm, it ends about 1 cm below the bend ofthe elbow, where it branches into the radial and ulnar
arteries. The radial artery commences at the bifurcation of the brachial artery and passes along the
radial side of the forearm to the wrist.
‘ABG sampling provides valuable information on the acid-base balance at a specific point in the course
of a patient’ illness. Itis the only reliable determination of ventilation success as evidenced by CO,
Content. It constitutes a more precise measure of successful gas exchange and oxygenation. ABG
‘sampling is the only way of accurately determining the alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient (see the Aa
Gradient calculator)
Because the results of ABG sampling only reflect the physiologic state ofthe patient atthe time of the
‘sampling, its important that they be carefully correlated with the evolving clinical scenario and with
any changes in the palient's treatment,
Indications
Indications for ABG sampling include the following !2 $4) -
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Identification of respiratory, metabolic, and mixed acid-base disorders, with or without
physiologic compensation, by means of pH ({H “]) and CO 2 levels (partial pressure of CO 2)
+ Measurement ofthe partial pressures of respiratory gases involved in oxygenation and
ventilation
+ Monitoring of acid-base status, as in patient with diabetic ketoacidasis (DKA) on insulin infusion;
‘ABG and venous blood gas (VBG) could be obtained simultaneously for comparison, with VBG
‘sampling subsequently used for further monitoring
+ Assessment ofthe response to therapeutic interventions such as mechanical ventiation in a
Patient with respiratory failure
Determination of arterial respiratory gases during diagnostic evaluations (eg, assessment of the
need for home oxygen therapy in patients with advanced chronic pulmonary disease)
Quantification of oxyhemoglobin, which, combined with measurement of arterial oxygen tension
(Pa0 2), provides useful information about the oxygen-carrying capacity ofthe patient
‘+ Quaniiication of the levels of dyshemoglobins (eg, carboxyhemoglobin and methemoglobin)
+ Procurement of a blood sample in an acute emergency setting when venous sampling is not
feasible (many blood chemistry tests Could be performed from an arterial sample)
‘The American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) has published a clinical practice guideline on
blood gas analysis and hemoximetry, 1
Contraindications
‘Absolute contraindications for ABG sampling include the following (2)
+ An abnormal modified Allen test (see Periprocedural Care, Preprocedural Planning), in which
‘case consideration should be given to attempting puncturn at a differant site
+ Local infection or distorted anatomy at the potential puncture site (eg, from previous surgical
interventions, congenital or acquired malformations, or burns)
+ The presence of arteriovenous fistulas or vascular grafts, in which case arterial vascular
puncture should not be attempted
+ Known or suspected severe peripheral vascular disease of the limb involved
Relative contraindications include the following 2
+ Severe coagulopathy
+ Anticoagulation therapy with warfarin, heparin and derivatives, direct thrombin inhibitors, or
factor X inhibitors; aspirin is not a contraindication for arterial vascular sampling in most cases
+ Use of thrombolytic agents, such as streptokinase or tissue plasminogen activator
Technical Considerations
‘ABG sampling may be difficult to perform in patients who are uncooperative or in whom pulses cannot
be easily identified. Challenges arise when health care personnel are unable to position the patient
properly for the procedure. This situation is commonly seen in patients with cognitive impairment,
advanced degenerative joint disease, or essential tremor,
‘The amount of subcutaneous fat in overweight and obese patients may limit access to the vascular
area and obscure anatomic landmarks.
Arteriosclerosis of peripheral arteries, as is seen in elderly patients and patients with end-stage kidney
disease, may cause increased rigidity in the vessel wall
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Best practices
‘The following suggestions may enhance the performance of ABG sampling}
+ Patients with poor distal perfusion (eg, those in hypovolemic states, with advanced heart failure,
(Fon vasopressor therapy) may not exhibit a strong arterial pulsation; the operator may need to
pull back the ABG syringe plunger to get a blood sample, though this increases the risk of
venous biood sampling
If arterial blood flow is not obtained, the operator might slowly pull back the needle:
that the needle has gone through the vessel
+ Initial arterial flow may subsequently be lost if the needle moves outside the vessel lumen;
reidentifcation of the arterial pulse, using the nondominant middle and index finger, and
repositioning the needle in the direction af the vessal could be attempted; avoid blind movement
Of the needle while its inserted deeply in the patient's body—pul it back to a point just below
the skin, and redirect itto the arterial pulse felt with the other hand
*+ Puncture of venous structures can be identified by lack of pulsatile low or dark-colored blood,
though, arterial blood in severely hypoxemic patients can also have a dark appearance; if
‘venous blood is obtained, removal of the needle from the patient might be necessary to expel
the venous blood from the syringe
Excessive skin and abundant soft tissue may obstruct the puncture site; the operator can use
the nondominant hand to smooth the skin, or an assistant can remove the subcutaneous tissue
from the puncture site field
Incomplete dismissal of heparin solution from the syringe could cause falsely low values for the
partial pressure of CO 2; to avoid this, the operator should expel all heparin solution from the
syringe before arterial puncture
Incomplete removal of air bubbles can cause falsely elevated values for the partial pressure of
‘oxygen; to avoid this, the operator should be sure to completely remove air bubbles fram the
syringe (vented plungers have an advantage over standard syringes in this regard)
+ Avoid puncture of the brachial artery or femoral artery in patients with diminished or absent distal
pulses; the absence of distal pulses may signal severe peripheral vascular disease
+ When femoral or brachial artery puncture is being considered, the use of ultrasound guidance
during passage of the needle aids in providing an accurate roadmap to the vessel and helps
minimize inadvertent arterial injuries
's possible
Complication prevention
Although patients with severe coagulopathy are at higher risk for bleeding complications, no clear
‘evidence on the safety of arterial puncture in the setting of coagulopathy exists. In patients with
coagulopathy, careful evaluation of the need for ABG sampling is recommended,
Periprocedure
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recent anatomic and physiologic investigations. Anesth Analg. 2009 Dec. 109(6):1763-81.
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3. Raffin TA. Indications for arterial blood gas analysis. Ann Intem Med, 1986 Sep. 105(3):390-8.
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epecmietcape crt H270 outs osanon tc ho Gee Sapling ackan ncaon,Conbcins
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jn Emergency Medicine. 3rd ed, Philadelphia: WB Saunders Co; 1998. Chap 19.
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blood gas analysis and hemoximetry: 2013. Respir Care. 2013 Oct. 58 (10):1694-703. [Medlin],
[Full Text)
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7. Barone JE, Madiinger RV. Should an Allen test be performed before radial artery cannulation?. J
Trauma. 2006 Aug. 61(2):468-70. [Medline]
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Media Gallery
+ Asterial blood gas sampling equipment.
‘+ Arterial blood gas syringe kit
+ Modified Allen test: digital occlusion of radial and ulnar artery
+ Modified Allen test: clenching of hand,
‘+ Modified Alien test uinar artery occlusion released,
+ Modified Allen test radial artery occlusion released,
+ Anatomic location of radial artery.
+ Identification of radial pulse.
+ Cleaning of desired racial artery puncture site,
+ Insertion of needle at radial artery puncture site,
+ Radial artery puncture.
+ Removal of needle from radial artery puncture site and application of local pressure for
hemostasis.
‘+ Application of needle protective sleeve.
+ Disposal of needle.
+ Removal of air bubbles from syringe.
+ Capping of syringe.
+ Anatomy of femoral triangle,
* Identification of femoral artery.
+ Cleaning of desired femoral artery puncture site.
+ Insertion of needle at femoral artery puncture site,
+ Femoral artery puncture.sono sl nda Sapng Beep cnt sore, Conrcatns
+ Removal of needle from femoral artery puncture site and application of local pressure for
hemostasis.
+ Anatomic location of brachial artery.
+ Identification of brachial artery,
+ Cleaning of desired brachial artery puncture site,
“+ Insertion of needle at brachial artery puncture site,
+ Brachial artery puncture.
+ Removal of needle from brachial artery puncture site and application of local pressure for
hemostasis.
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Author
Mauricio Danckers, MD Pulmonary and Critical Care Physician, Aventura Medical Center
Mauricio Danckers, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Chest
Physicians, Arnerican Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.
Coauthor(s)
Ethan D Fried, MD, MS Associate Professor of Medicine, Hofstra North Shore-LJ School of
Medicine; Associate Designated Institutional Official, Associate Chair for Education, Department of
‘Medicine, Member, Division of Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine, Lenox Hill Hospital
Ethan D Fried, MD, MS is a member of the following medical societies: American College of
Physicians, Association of Program Directors in Internal Medicine.
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose,
Specially Editor Board
‘Mary L Windle, PharmD Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College
of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.
Chief Editor
Vincent Lopez Rowe, MD Professor of Surgery, Program Director, Vascular Surgery Residency,
Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of the University of
Southern Califomiaaot Poin ood oe Sapling Bick ner, Cranes
Vincent Lopez Rowe, MD is a member ofthe following medical societies: American College of
‘Surgeons, American Heart Association, Society for Vascular Surgery, Vascular and Endovascular
Surgery Society, Society for Clinical Vascular Surgery, Pacific Coast Surgical Association, Western
Vascular Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.
Acknowledgements
‘A special thank-you to Dr Susan Nathan and Mr Kyle Pursell for their contributions to the realization of
this article.