Comparison of accuracy and stability between disposable arterial blood syringes and pre-heparinized syringe in arterial blood gas analysis: a retrospective study

Abstract Background Arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis is vital in the emergency department. However, the accuracy and stability of some indicators in ABG analysis are debatable compared with venous ones. Disposable arterial blood syringe (DABS) usage is increasing in clinical practice. To compare the accuracy and stability of venous versus arterial blood results and newly emerging DABS versus traditionally used pre-heparinized syringe (PHS) results, we performed this study.Methods This retrospective study was performed at the emergency department of the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University. Participants were divided into two groups PHS and DABS, from which venous and arterial blood was drawn and analyzed either in laboratory or ABG-analyzer. Blood sample results were compared by the Pearson correlation coefficient and t-test. By removing extreme results, the sensitivity analysis was conducted.Results A total of 500 patients (64.80% male, mean age 63.55±16.82) and 400 patients (65.25% male, mean age 62.86±15.65) were enrolled in PHS and DABS groups, respectively. Compared with PHS group, DABS had a quite higher correlation coefficient in K + (0.923 vs. 0.855), Na + (0.911 vs. 0.850) and the differences between venous and arterial of all indicators (K + 0.202mmol/L vs. 0.318mmol/L, P<0.0001; Na + 1.187mmol/L vs. 2.902mmol/L, P<0.0001; Cl - -5.336mmol/L vs. –7.598mmol/L, P<0.0001; Hb -0.898g/L vs. 2.212g/L, P<0.0001; HCT -0.659% vs. 1.269%, P<0.0001) were significantly smaller in DABS group.Conclusion High accuracy was seen in arterial blood results irrespective of the usage of PHS or DABS for sample collection. DABS showed more accurate and stable results, suggesting its role for future medical use.