Can the clinician trust blood gas for serum electrolyte levels?

Abstract

Aim: Electrolytes are charged elements that are required for proper cellular function in most tissues of the body. Almost all metabolic processes are dependent on or performed by electrolytes. Electrolyte abnormalities may represent significant risks for life. Routinely, all electrolytes are measured from the serum sample, using the automatic analysis devices at the central laboratories of the hospitals. However, this is time-consuming. In this study, our aim is to compare the results of venous blood gas electrolyte, glucose and hemoglobin values with serum laboratory results and to investigate whether venous blood gas can substitute serum. Material and Method: Our study was designed as a prospective cohort study. A total of 418 adult patients between 18-88 years old, who were admitted to the nephrology outpatient clinic were included in the study. The demographic data of the patients and accompanying comorbidities were recorded. In addition, blood gas electrolytes, glucose, and hemoglobin values of each patient were recorded. Results: The study included 174 female patients and 244 male patients. In terms of both serum and blood gas hemoglobin, there was a statistically significant difference between the genders (p<0.001). A strong positive correlation was detected between serum sodium, potassium, glucose and hemoglobin values and blood gas sodium, potassium, glucose and hemoglobin values (p < 0.001, r = 0.764, p < 0.001, r = 0.867, p < 0.001, respectively, r = 0.969; p < 0.001, r = 0.846). The highest correlation coefficient was between serum and blood gas glucose values, while the lowest correlation coefficient was between the sodium values. Discussion: In our study, we believe that in CKD patients with a prominent fluid-electrolyte imbalance, in emergency departments, where critically ill patients are common in intensive care patients with a life-threatening disease, the rapid blood gas tests may be considered for the treatment planning until the results of the biochemical examination are available.