Clinical evaluation of the ABL-77 for point-of-care analysis in the cardiovascular operating room.

As a small portable instrument, which can be dedicated to the perfusionist, the Radiometer model ABL-77 point-of-care blood gas, electrolyte, and hematocrit analyzer has come to provide an alternative to in-line monitoring of such parameters. This is not to say that it can necessarily replace the utility of in-line monitoring. However, point of care instruments, such as the ABL-77, can provide faster results than a more remote lab. This study was done as part of an ongoing quality assurance program in conjunction with the main lab department to maintain accreditation. The hypothesis being tested is that during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) the ABL-77 is in agreement with alternative instruments used outside the cardiovascular operating room. With the appropriate institutional approval, a total of 20 blood samples were randomly gathered among five patients after initiation of CPB. This was done over a five-day period for pH, pCO2, pO2, potassium, sodium, and hematocrit determinations. Analysis results from the ABL-77 were compared to those made by three other bench top models. These included a Radiometer model ABL-720 analyzer, a Dale Dimension model RxL analyzer, and a Beckerman model LH 750 Coulter Counter. A statistically significant difference is demonstrated for all parameters when each of these instruments is compared to the ABL-77. However, the observed mean differences are only judged to be clinically significant in the case of hematocrit. The ABL-77 is found to demonstrate a negative bias with respect to the different methodologies used by the ABL-720 and the Coulter Counter. This bias may be due to the hemodilution of plasma with crystalloid solution during CPB. This causes error in hematocrit results as the methodology of many point of care instruments is based on the electrical conductivity of whole blood. This may be corrected by using a relationship determined from linear regression analysis. This error adjustment has been implemented as part of a concerted blood conservation effort. Otherwise, the ABL-77 has been found to be reliable and consistent for point of care blood analysis.