Interpretation of arterial blood gases

Abstract

Arterial blood gas analysis is a frequently used and extremely useful clinical tool. Doctors of all levels understand the results to varying degrees. This article aims to explain some of the more important points and thus help with interpretation of results. The final part of this article presents a stepwise guide to interpretation of blood gases and some clinical examples.

Keywords

• arterial blood gas interpretation
• acid-base equilibrium
• acidosis/blood; bicarbonates; blood gas analysis/methods; carbon dioxide; oxygen/blood.