Pleural Fluid pH Measured with Blood Gas Analyzer

The measurement of pleural fluid pH can be a clinically useful tool in the management of patients with parapneumonic effusions, which may be a symptom of underlying illness.

Pleural fluid pH testing is now offered on the RAPIDPoint 500 Blood gas system, providing US laboratories and point-of-care coordinators with an important new diagnostic tool for critical care situations. RAPIDPoint 500 Blood Gas Analyzers deliver accurate, laboratory-quality test results from a single sample and for multiple sample types (pleural fluids, whole blood, or dialysate fluids).

Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics (Tarrytown, NY, USA) has obtained US Food and Drug Association (FDA; Atlanta GA, USA) clearance to offer pleural fluid pH testing on its RAPIDPoint 500 Blood Gas System. The addition of pleural fluid pH testing on the company’s RAPIDPoint 500 System complements the analyzer’s comprehensive critical care menu, which includes tests for blood gases, electrolytes, glucose, lactate, and full CO-oximetry, including neonatal total bilirubin and total hemoglobin.

When a patient’s pleural fluid pH is less than 7.30 (normal pleural fluid pH is estimated at 7.64), it may imply the presence of an inflammatory or infiltrative process. These measurements can be taken using pH meters or indicator sticks, but multiple studies have shown that these methods are less accurate than readings conducted with blood gas analyzers. The American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) recommends blood gas analyzers as the preferred pleural fluid chemistry test for categorizing and managing parapneumonic effusions.

The RAPIDPoint 500 system leverages Siemens technology to deliver laboratory-quality results in approximately 60 seconds from a single, whole blood sample. In addition, the analyzer’s measurement cartridges last up to 28 days and contain a full complement of tests, reducing downtime.

Related Links:
Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics
US Food and Drug Association