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Intravenous catheter aspiration for obtaining basic analytes during intravenous infusion
R D Herr1, P J Bossart, R C Blaylock
1Department of Surgery, University of Utah Medical School, Salt Lake City.
Annals of Emergency Medicine
|July 1, 1990
Summary
Blood draws from IV lines can be a viable alternative for lab tests. This method, catheter aspiration, proved useful for certain analyses in emergency department patients receiving IV fluids.
Area of Science:
- Emergency Medicine
- Clinical Pathology
- Laboratory Science
Background:
- Intravenous (IV) access is common in emergency departments.
- Obtaining blood samples for laboratory analysis typically requires venipuncture.
- Alternative methods for blood sampling may improve efficiency and patient comfort.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and reliability of aspirating blood samples through a functioning IV line for laboratory analysis.
- To compare the results of blood samples obtained via IV catheter aspiration with those obtained by traditional venipuncture.
Main Methods:
- Thirty-eight emergency department patients with an 18-gauge IV catheter were enrolled.
- Blood samples were obtained by aspirating from the IV catheter (two samples) and by venipuncture from the contralateral arm (one control sample).
- Samples were analyzed for complete blood count (CBC), electrolytes, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, and glucose.
Main Results:
- Catheter aspiration was successful in 79% (30/38) of attempts.
- Hemolysis occurred in 3 samples, and 5 samples could not be fully aspirated.
- Paired t-testing revealed minimal statistical significance between aspirated and venipuncture samples, with no clinical significance noted except for bicarbonate.
Conclusions:
- Catheter aspiration is a potentially useful method for obtaining blood for specific laboratory tests in patients receiving IV infusions.
- Further research may refine protocols to minimize complications like hemolysis and improve aspiration success rates.