Blood gas tests can be used in the diagnosis of a number of acidosis conditions such as lactic, metabolic, and respiratory acidosis, diabetic ketoacidosis, and also of respiratory alkalosis.[1] Particularly, umbilical cord blood gas analysis can give an indication of preceding fetal hypoxic stress. In combination with other clinical information, normal paired arterial and venous cord blood gas results can usually provide a robust defence against a suggestion that an infant had an intrapartum hypoxic-ischaemic event.[2]
Abnormal results may be due to a wide range of diseases, including poisoning and trauma as well as lung, kidney, or metabolic diseases. Drug overdose and uncontrolled diabetes may be determined from abnormal results.[5] Head, neck or injuries that affect breathing can also lead to abnormal results.[1]
↑Zavorsky, Gerald S.; Cao, Jiguo; Mayo, Nancy E.; Gabbay, Rina; Murias, Juan M. (March 2007). "Arterial versus capillary blood gases: A meta-analysis". Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology. 155 (3): 268–279. doi:10.1016/j.resp.2006.07.002. PMID16919507.
↑Toffaletti, John (2020). "Contemporary practice in clinical chemistry: Blood gas and critical care testing". Contemporary Practice in Clinical Chemistry. pp.629–649. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-815499-1.00036-3. ISBN978-0-12-815499-1. Arterial blood is mostly preferred over venous blood for blood gas analysis of pH, pCO2, and pO2, because arterial pO2 indicates the ability of the lungs to oxygenate the blood with alveolar air, and arterial blood provides an index of the oxygen and nutrients that will be provided to the tissues and cells.
