Arterial Blood Gas (ABG)

Does this test have other names?

ABG, systemic arterial blood gas analysis, PaO₂, PaCO_2,pH, or oxygen saturation test.

What is this test?

An arterial blood gas analysis (ABG) measures the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in your blood to see how well your lungs are working. It also measures the acid-base balance in the blood. Your kidneys and lungs keep this acid-base balance, which is necessary for the enzyme systems in your body to function at their best. When there is an imbalance, your blood has too much acid (acidosis) or too much base (alkalosis). Untreated, the imbalance can be harmful and even life-threatening..

Why do I need this test?

Some people have trouble getting oxygen into their systems because they have a lung disease such as pneumonia or emphysema. But low oxygen levels and impaired gas exchange may be a sign of another disease or condition that has nothing to do with your lungs. Your doctor needs to know what's causing your breathing problems in order to prescribe the right treatment. If you are using supplemental oxygen to help you breathe, this test shows if you are getting enough extra oxygen.

People with kidney disease, renal failure, diabetes, shock, chronic vomiting, or other conditions may have problems with the acid-base balance in their blood. Here are some of the more common reasons an ABG is ordered:

You're often short of breath.
You're unusually tired.
You feel confused or disoriented.
You have chronic vomiting or nausea.
You are in shock.
You have a smoke-inhalation injury.
You have carbon monoxide poisoning.
You have burns in your airways.
You're being treated for a near-drowning accident or for decompression sickness.
You're being treated for a lung condition that affects how your body absorbs oxygen or gets rid of carbon dioxide.
You're a smoker, and the doctor needs to find out whether you have a disease such as congestive heart failure.
You've had a drug overdose.
You've had a head or neck injury and now have trouble breathing.
You have a condition that can affect breathing, such as asthma, COPD, myasthenia gravis, or Guillain-Barré syndrome.
A newborn is having trouble breathing.

What other tests might I have along with this test?

An ABG is often done at the same time as the tests listed below:

Electrolytes, including the levels of sodium, potassium, and bicarbonate in your blood.
Glucose, or the amount of sugar in your blood.
Other blood tests, including blood count; magnesium; calcium; amylase; blood urea nitrogen, or BUN; creatinine and phosphorus; ketones; and lactate level tests. These tests indicate how well your kidneys are working.
Urine tests may also be done to determine how well your kidneys are working and to check overall health.
Chest X-ray, or CXR, to look at your lungs, or other radiology studies.

If your doctor suspects you have a lung disease or heart condition, you may need another set of tests to evaluate how well your lungs work. These may include:

Spirometry. This test measures the amount of air you can breathe in and out, and how forcefully you can exhale.
Lung volume measurements. These tests calculate how much you can inhale, how much you can exhale, and how much air is left in your lungs after you exhale.
Lung diffusion capacity. This test measures the amount of oxygen that passes from your lungs to your bloodstream.

What do my test results mean?

Many things may affect your lab test results. These include the method each lab uses to do the test. Even if your test results are different from the normal value, you may not have a problem. To learn what the results mean for you, talk with your health care provider.

The results of you ABG will show several numbers. Here are two important ones:

Partial pressure of oxygen, or PaO₂. This measurement shows the pressure of oxygen in your blood. Healthy adults will generally have a number between 70 to 100 millimeters of mercury (mmHg). Healthy adults younger than 60 generally have a number of 85 or greater. Talk with your health care provider about your results and what they mean.
Acid-base balance (pH). When carbon dioxide builds up in your blood, it dissolves and creates an acid. If your blood acid level is out of balance, it can mean your body isn't able to get rid carbon dioxide efficiently. This may happen because your lungs aren't working well or your kidneys can't get rid of the acid. A normal result is between 7.35 and 7.45.

How is this test done?

You can get an ABG analysis done at a hospital, lab, or surgical center. An ABG requires a blood sample. For this test, blood is drawn from an artery – usually in the wrist, arm, or groin – rather than from a vein.

Does this test pose any risks?

Taking a blood sample with a needle carries risks that include bleeding, infection, bruising, or feeling dizzy. Because the blood is drawn from the artery in your wrist or groin, it may be more painful than getting blood drawn from your arm.. You may have to press on the puncture spot for five minutes or more to stop the bleeding. Medications that slow blood clotting, such as aspirin and Coumadin (warfarin), may also cause increased bleeding from the puncture site.

What might affect my test results?

Smoking, inhaling secondhand smoke, having a fever, or breathing quickly can affect the test results.

How do I get ready for this test?

You don't need to do anything to prepare for the test. If you are afraid of needles, try to stay calm because breathing rapidly may affect your test results. Tell your health care provider if you take medications that affect how your blood clots.