Arterial Blood Gas and Serum Lactate Levels Are Not Useful in Trauma Patients with Negative Early CT

Abnormal levels do not change disposition in patients without evidence of traumatic injury.

Researchers reviewed the charts of 360 adult blunt trauma patients who underwent arterial blood gas and serum lactate (ABG/SL) testing and computed tomography (CT) of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis at a single emergency department (ED) to determine the utility of abnormal ABG/SL results in patients with a negative ED evaluation for acute traumatic injury (defined as CT showing no acute traumatic injuries, Glasgow Coma Scale score of 15 and no clinical concern for head injury, and no evidence of traumatic injury requiring emergent operative intervention or hospital admission). Abnormal ABG levels were defined as pH <7.35 or >7.45 or base deficit ≤–6, and abnormal SL levels were defined as >1.8 mmol/L.

Of 175 patients (49%) with a negative ED …

Reviewing Author

Diane M. Birnbaumer, MD, FACEP

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardSecurisyn

Editorial boardsThe Merck Manuals (Home and Physician Editions)

Diane M. Birnbaumer, MD, FACEP

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardSecurisyn

Editorial boardsThe Merck Manuals (Home and Physician Editions)

Arterial Blood Gas and Serum Lactate Levels Are Not Useful in Trauma Patients with Negative Early CT

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Reviewing Author