What are arterial blood gases?

It is the analysis in a special machine  (blood gas analyzer) of blood aspirated from an artery. Thus, we obtain information concerning the oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood, and the pH of the blood. With blood gases your pulmonologist can obtain information about the functioning of the lungs and other organs of the body.

A small amount of blood ( usually 1 ml) is aspirated, most frequently from the radial artery at the wrist, and then it is analysed. Examination is necessary to assess the need for a patient to receive oxygen , either temporarily or permanently at home. Moreover, with blood gas analysis we can assess the patient’s response to current treatment  (COPD, bronchial asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, etc.) and take the decision for starting mechanical ventilation where respiratory failure is severe and does not respond to already taken medications.