Clinically important factors influencing the diagnostic measurement of pleural fluid pH and glucose.

RATIONALE: Accurate pleural fluid pH and glucose measurement is a key component in the diagnosis and management of patients with pleural effusion. Standardized methods of pleural fluid collection have not been defined. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of common clinical factors that may distort meas...

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Main Authors: Rahman, N, Mishra, E, Davies, H, Davies, R, Lee, Y
Format: Journal article
Language:English
Published: 2008
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author Rahman, N
Mishra, E
Davies, H
Davies, R
Lee, Y
author_facet Rahman, N
Mishra, E
Davies, H
Davies, R
Lee, Y
author_sort Rahman, N
collection OXFORD
description RATIONALE: Accurate pleural fluid pH and glucose measurement is a key component in the diagnosis and management of patients with pleural effusion. Standardized methods of pleural fluid collection have not been defined. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of common clinical factors that may distort measurement accuracy of pleural fluid pH and glucose. METHODS: Ninety-two exudative pleural aspirates were collected in commercially available blood gas syringes. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Samples were analyzed immediately using a blood gas analyzer. The effects of residual air, lidocaine, heparin, and delay in analysis (24 h) on pH and glucose measurement accuracy were assessed. Pleural fluid pH was significantly increased by residual air (mean +/- SD, 0.08 +/- 0.07; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.06 to 0.09; P < 0.001) and significantly decreased by residual lidocaine (0.2 ml; mean change in pH, -0.15 +/- 0.09; 95% CI, -0.13 to -0.18; P < 0.001) and residual heparin (mean change in pH, -0.02 +/- 0.05; 95% CI, -0.01 to -0.04; P = 0.027). Pleural fluid pH was stable at room temperature for 1 hour and significantly increased at 4 (mean +/- SD, 0.03 +/- 0.07; 95% CI, 0.01 to 0.04; P = 0.003) and 24 hours (0.05 +/- 0.12; 95% CI, 0.03 to 0.08; P < 0.001). Pleural fluid glucose concentration was not clinically significantly altered by residual air, lidocaine (up to 0.4 ml), or 24-hour analysis delay. CONCLUSIONS: Accuracy of measured pleural pH is critically dependent on sample collection method. Residual air, lidocaine, and analysis delay significantly alter pH and may impact on clinical management. Pleural fluid glucose concentration is not significantly influenced by these factors. Protocols defining appropriate sampling and analysis methods are needed.
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spelling oxford-uuid:5f172880-762a-4db8-a50a-bdae974417d22022-03-26T17:44:42ZClinically important factors influencing the diagnostic measurement of pleural fluid pH and glucose.Journal articlehttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_dcae04bcuuid:5f172880-762a-4db8-a50a-bdae974417d2EnglishSymplectic Elements at Oxford2008Rahman, NMishra, EDavies, HDavies, RLee, YRATIONALE: Accurate pleural fluid pH and glucose measurement is a key component in the diagnosis and management of patients with pleural effusion. Standardized methods of pleural fluid collection have not been defined. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of common clinical factors that may distort measurement accuracy of pleural fluid pH and glucose. METHODS: Ninety-two exudative pleural aspirates were collected in commercially available blood gas syringes. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Samples were analyzed immediately using a blood gas analyzer. The effects of residual air, lidocaine, heparin, and delay in analysis (24 h) on pH and glucose measurement accuracy were assessed. Pleural fluid pH was significantly increased by residual air (mean +/- SD, 0.08 +/- 0.07; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.06 to 0.09; P < 0.001) and significantly decreased by residual lidocaine (0.2 ml; mean change in pH, -0.15 +/- 0.09; 95% CI, -0.13 to -0.18; P < 0.001) and residual heparin (mean change in pH, -0.02 +/- 0.05; 95% CI, -0.01 to -0.04; P = 0.027). Pleural fluid pH was stable at room temperature for 1 hour and significantly increased at 4 (mean +/- SD, 0.03 +/- 0.07; 95% CI, 0.01 to 0.04; P = 0.003) and 24 hours (0.05 +/- 0.12; 95% CI, 0.03 to 0.08; P < 0.001). Pleural fluid glucose concentration was not clinically significantly altered by residual air, lidocaine (up to 0.4 ml), or 24-hour analysis delay. CONCLUSIONS: Accuracy of measured pleural pH is critically dependent on sample collection method. Residual air, lidocaine, and analysis delay significantly alter pH and may impact on clinical management. Pleural fluid glucose concentration is not significantly influenced by these factors. Protocols defining appropriate sampling and analysis methods are needed.
spellingShingle Rahman, N
Mishra, E
Davies, H
Davies, R
Lee, Y
Clinically important factors influencing the diagnostic measurement of pleural fluid pH and glucose.
title Clinically important factors influencing the diagnostic measurement of pleural fluid pH and glucose.
title_full Clinically important factors influencing the diagnostic measurement of pleural fluid pH and glucose.
title_fullStr Clinically important factors influencing the diagnostic measurement of pleural fluid pH and glucose.
title_full_unstemmed Clinically important factors influencing the diagnostic measurement of pleural fluid pH and glucose.
title_short Clinically important factors influencing the diagnostic measurement of pleural fluid pH and glucose.
title_sort clinically important factors influencing the diagnostic measurement of pleural fluid ph and glucose
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