Arterial blood gas analysis in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease cases.

ABSTRACT

Background: To understand the incidence amongst the age groups and gender, correlation of this study with the clinical presentation, evaluate the adequacy of ventilation by detecting blood gases, the changes in acid-base balance & compensatory mechanism in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, COPD cases were evaluated. Materials And Methods: The retrospective study was carried out on the patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who were admitted in Civil hospital, Asarwa, Ahmedabad from July 2000 to October 2003. Arterial blood gas analysis was used as a diagnostic test in 50 cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Results: out of total 50 cases, majority (50%) had emphysema, 30% had mixed clinical picture of chronic bronchitis and emphysema, where as 20% had clinical picture of chronic bronchitis. Mean age group in this study was 55.9+4.4 yrs. Majority (82%) of patients were male. 16% cases were oedematous. Mean partial pressure of CO2 & O2 were 50.76 and 66.9 mm of Hg respectively. Range of pH observed was 7.28 to 7.52. Conclusion: Smoking of cigarettes (82%), exposure to dust (44%) and urban residence (64%) were the major risk factors.