Alternative names

• Arterial Blood Gas Analysis;
• ABG Sampling.

Outcome Goal

• Proper collection of arterial blood samples.

Arterial Blood Gas Test Definition

Arterial Blood Gas Sampling is sampling of the blood for oxygen, carbon dioxide levels, acidity and oxyhemoglobin saturation (HbO2) within the arteries. Such information is vital when caring for patients with critical illness or respiratory disease. As a result, the ABG is one of the most common tests performed on patients in intensive care units (ICUs) and is easily performed at the bedside.

Blood is drawn from a peripheral artery:

• Radial
• Ulnar
• Brachial
• Axillary
• Femoral
• Posterior Tibial
• Dorsalis Pedis

Sampling is performed by a single needle puncture, or from an indwelling arterial cannula or catheter for multiple sample.

Capillary blood gas (CBG) samples may be used instead of samples from arteries.

Either method provides a blood specimen for direct measurement of:

• partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2 or PCO2);
• partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2 or PO2);
• hydrogen ion activity (pH);
• total hemoglobin (Hbtotal);
• oxyhemoglobin saturation (HbO2);
• dyshemoglobins carboxyhemoglobin (COHb; HbCO);
• methemoglobin (MetHb; HbMet).

Note: From the above blood gas test results, the blood gas analyzer calculates bicarbonate (HCO3-) concentration.

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Ramaz Mitaishvili, MD