The effect of heparin concentration on results of venous blood gas of patients admitted to cardiac intensive care unit: A double-blind clinical trial

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of heparin (1000 IU/mL) in the blood sample on the results of venous blood gases of patients admitted to the cardiac intensive care unit. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present double-blind randomized clinical trial study was performed on 282 samples from 141 patients admitted to the cardiac intensive care unit. Insulin syringes with heparin (1000 IU/mL) and heparin (5000 IU/mL) and 1 cc of blood sample were taken from the peripheral vein, then distributed in two syringes and given to the analyzer. RESULTS: In the present study, the mean age of the samples was 49.96 ± 9.58. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of values of partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO2) (P < 0.001), partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) (P < 0.001), blood oxygen saturation (P < 0.001), bicarbonate ion (P < 0.001), excess base (P < 0.001), hemoglobin (P < 0.001), calcium (P < 0.001), potassium (P < 0.001), and sodium (P < 0.001) in the two groups. CONCLUSION: Overall, heparin (1000 IU/mL) led to a less disruption in the results of venous blood gases, and since it has not significantly increased the risk of clots, it is recommended to be used for venous blood gas sampling.