Virginia Via Research Day Book 2026

Medical Student Research Clinical 06

Jessica Azar, OMS-II; Cheandri Ackermann, OMS-II; Moses Choi, OMS-III; Chris Cole, OMS-III; Melanie Tadros, OMS-II; Abigail McLaughlin, OMS-III; Ryan Minervini, OMS-III; Maziar Montazer, OMS-IV; Charles R Joseph, MD Corresponding author: ceackermann@liberty.edu COMPARING VENOUS BLOOD GASES TO ARTERIAL BLOOD GASES IN ASSESSMENT OF ACID-BASE STATUS IN DIVERSE PATIENT POPULATIONS

Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lynchburg, Virginia

Using venous blood gases (VBGs) as an alternative to arterial blood gases (ABGs) has been extensively studied for assessing acid-base status in select acutely ill patients. The goal of this study was to evaluate the correlation between VBG and ABG samples to determine whether VBG could be used as an accurate and safer alternative for evaluating various acid-base states, thereby reducing certain ABG-associated risks, including pain and discomfort, thrombosis, aneurysm, ecchymosis, needle stick injuries, and nerve damage. A literature review was performed, encompassing patients with trauma, respiratory failure, cardiac failure, and metabolic syndromes. In doing so, factors impacting sample comparison, including accessibility based on patient setting, post-draw cellular metabolism, and potential need for mathematical corrections when using VBG, were considered. This study indicated that pO₂ had a poor correlation coefficient but may be compensated for by using pulse oximetry. For

patients with acute cardiac failure, VBG is a good indicator for blood pH, lactate, electrolytes, and HCO₃⁻. Comparable results were found in patients with acute respiratory failure; however, due to the nature of these patients’ disorders, PCO₂, PO₂, and SpO₂ require close monitoring, in which ABG may be required. In patients with acute trauma and metabolic syndromes, VBG proved to be a strong predictor of acid-base disturbances, including pH, HCO₃⁻, PCO₂, base excess, anion gap, electrolytes, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and P50. However, due to concerns with accurate O₂ monitoring, pO₂ values remain a limitation for adjusting respiratory settings. VBG can be utilized for acid-base status and other parameters, but further analysis and continued usage of ABG are required to accurately reflect pO₂ values. The overall accessibility of ABG and VBG was also considered, as they vary with the patient’s setting and blood sample handling procedures. This variability may require more specific

protocols or mathematical adjustments when comparing VBG to ABG to avoid significant metabolic and gas composition changes. The use of point-of-care (POC) blood gas analyzers has also shown promise. However, PO₂ measurements may be less consistent, demonstrating greater variability and a tendency toward systematic underestimation at higher oxygen tensions. This difference may be most clinically significant when precise oxygen assessment is critical. Additionally, further evaluation of lactic acid from VBG vs ABG is required to provide a better predictor of accurate utilization of VBGs in lieu of ABGs.

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177 2026 Research Recognition Day