Why do we check blood gas if kidney function is not good?

Patients with chronic kidney disease must be familiar with the words "blood gas analysis". During the treatment and follow-up of the disease, the doctor may prescribe this test multiple times according to the condition. So what is blood gas analysis? Why do we need to check blood gas if the kidney function is not good? Why do we need to check blood gas analysis multiple times?

0 1What is blood gas analysis ?

Strictly speaking, blood gas analysis refers to the determination of the partial pressure and content of gas components (oxygen, carbon dioxide, etc.) dissolved in the blood using a blood gas analyzer, mainly measuring the partial pressure of oxygen, partial pressure of carbon dioxide, and blood oxygen saturation in the blood. In the regulation of maintaining the stability of the human body's internal environment, blood gas and acid-base components, electrolyte components (such as sodium, calcium, phosphorus, chlorine, potassium, etc.) are closely related. Therefore, the blood gas analysis we mentioned in clinical practice includes a comprehensive analysis of blood gas, acid-base components, and electrolyte components.

Why do we collect arterial blood instead of simply drawing venous blood in clinical practice? This is because arterial blood can reflect the exchange between alveolar gas and pulmonary circulation, and comes from different parts of the body, which can better reflect the whole body situation. Venous blood is the result of gas exchange between tissues after the systemic circulation passes through various tissue microcirculations, and can only reflect the local venous situation.

Therefore, the most ideal collection sites for blood gas analysis are the superficial radial artery and femoral artery, which are easily accessible. Blood gas analysis has been widely used in various clinical departments, especially in the emergency treatment of critically ill patients. It helps to understand the condition, make differential diagnoses, observe the efficacy and estimate the prognosis. Through blood gas analysis, we can have a more comprehensive understanding of the patient's ventilation function, gas exchange function, mainly hypoxia and carbon dioxide retention, the body's acid-base state, and the degree of electrolyte disorder. Blood gas analysis can assist doctors in making correct judgments on the patient's condition, so as to find out the cause and give timely and appropriate treatment. This is an important part of improving the efficacy.

0 2Why should blood gas be checked if kidney function is not good ?

When the human body suffers from chronic glomerulonephritis, chronic pyelonephritis, hereditary and congenital kidney diseases, urinary tract obstruction and some systemic diseases (such as connective tissue disease, diabetes, hypertension, etc.), the progression of these diseases may lead to poor renal function, that is, chronic renal insufficiency and renal failure, causing the kidneys to atrophy significantly and unable to maintain their basic functions. The renal excretion and endocrine functions begin to gradually decline, and clinical symptoms include retention of metabolic products, water, electrolyte, and acid-base imbalances, leading to changes in blood indicators. At this time, blood gas analysis can detect changes in these blood indicators.

0 3Why does blood gas analysis need to be checked multiple times ?

A blood gas analysis report only reflects the physical condition at a specific time. Therefore, during the treatment process, the doctor will perform multiple tests if necessary according to different conditions to determine the patient's acid-base balance and electrolyte changes, evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment plan, and understand the changes in the condition, in order to help evaluate the patient's prognosis and adjust the treatment plan.

In summary, blood gas analysis can quickly reflect the presence and severity of acid-base imbalance and electrolyte disturbance in patients, and conduct a comprehensive analysis based on medical history, physical signs and test data. For patients who are seeing a doctor and receiving treatment for the first time, it can clarify the severity of the disease and assess the prognosis. For patients who are already receiving drug treatment, it can assist in assessing the effectiveness of the current treatment plan. Therefore, for patients with poor renal function, blood gas analysis is a good means of treatment and observation of the condition, and it is of great significance.