DefinePK

Abstract

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Exacerbations of COPD is considered as second most common cause of admission in the UK. The recognition that high flow oxygen therapy in susceptible patients during exacerbations of COPD can lead to hypercapnia and also that respiratory acidosis is usually associated with a worse outcome has led to a rise in arterial blood gas (ABG) sampling to measure the values of pH, PaCO2, PaO2 and HCO3.Objectives: Objective was to study the correlation of ABG with VBG in in terms of pH, pCO2 and HCO in patients presenting with exacerbation of COPD. Methodology: Ninety two patients with acute exacerbation of COPD were included. Samples for ABG and VBG were taken simultaneously and analyzed using blood gas analyzer. Statistical analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.Results: Ninety two patients were included. Mean age was 47.50+8.27 years and 87% were male. Regarding correlation between ABGs and VBGs, it was seen that Pearson's correlation for pH was 0.81 with p value of <0.01 while correlation for PCO was 0.86 with a p value of < 0.01. Pearson's correlation for PO2 was 0.52 with p value of > 0.05. A strong correlation was found for PCO of ABGs and VBGs i.e. 0.88 with a p value of < 0.01.Conclusion: There was strong correlation between pH, PCO and HCO of ABGs and VBGs.