Improved use of arterial blood gas analysis in suspected pulmonary embolism

Since hypoxemia is not known to be a sensitive indicator of acute pulmonary embolism, we performed a retrospective study to determine whether an increased P(A-a)O2 gradient or hypocapnia improved the sensitivity of blood gas analysis in acute embolism. The study group consisted of 78 patients with angiographically documented emboli who had blood gas samples obtained while breathing room air. None had a prior history of cardiopulmonary disease. Hypoxemia was present in 59 patients (76 percent), hypoxemia or hypocapnia in 73 patients (93 percent), an increased P(A-a)O2 gradient in 74 patients (95 percent), and an increased P(A-a)O2 gradient or hypocapnia in 77 patients (98 percent). Only one patient with acute embolism showed a normal P(A-a)O2 gradient and normal PaCO2 breathing room air. These results suggest that a normal P(A-a)O2 gradient and a normal PaCO2 obtained in a patient during room air breathing can be used as evidence against the presence of pulmonary emboli.