Evaluation of a new blood-conserving arterial line system for patients in intensive care units.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate blood samples obtained from a new blood-conserving arterial line system for the presence of hemodilution or heparin contamination.


METHODS
Prospective, clinical trial.


METHODS
A coronary intensive care unit in a tertiary-care teaching hospital.


METHODS
Cardiovascular patients in whom invasive arterial blood pressure monitoring was indicated.


METHODS
Paired blood samples were obtained from a conventional arterial line system and a new blood-conserving arterial line system for the measurement of hematocrit and partial thromboplastin time, and compared to evaluate for the presence of either hemodilution or heparin contamination.


RESULTS
A Bland-Altman bias analysis of the variability between the two blood draw methods was performed. The analysis indicated that a) a randomly determined partial thromboplastin time obtained from the blood-conserving arterial line would lie between 3.32 and -5.11 of the partial thromboplastin time taken from the conventional arterial line value with 95% confidence; and b) a randomly determined hematocrit obtained from the blood-conserving arterial line would lie between 1.97 and -1.85 of the hematocrit taken from the conventional arterial line value with 95% confidence.


CONCLUSIONS
We concluded that a) blood samples obtained with the blood-conserving arterial line demonstrate no evidence of hemodilution or heparin contamination; b) the blood-conserving arterial line provides blood samples without the need for an initial volume of blood to be discarded; c) the blood-conserving arterial line provides a means for blood conservation in the intensive care setting.
Silver
M J
MJ
Department of Internal Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, OH 44195.
Jubran
H
H
Stein
S
S
McSweeney
T
T
Jubran
F
F
D015924:Blood Pressure Monitors; D001800:Blood Specimen Collection / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006400:Hematocrit; D006438:Hemodilution; D006493:Heparin / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D010314:Partial Thromboplastin Time; D011446:Prospective Studies
D006493:Heparin