The effect of placental isolation on umbilical artery blood gas measurements.
OBJECTIVE
We conducted a study to determine whether the pH and base excess of umbilical artery blood samples are significantly different when taken from a double-clamped segment of umbilical cord as compared with a nonisolated segment of umbilical cord.


METHODS
A prospective study with 43 singleton pregnancies was conducted. Matched pair samples of umbilical arterial blood were compared from double-clamped and nonisolated segments. The means for pH and base excess were compared and a paired t test was used to determine significance.


RESULTS
The means for pH and base excess were not significantly different (P = .70) between the 2 groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Double clamping the umbilical cord before obtaining an umbilical artery sample is not necessary for accurate blood gas results.
Leung
Wynne I
WI
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Rockyview Hospital, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. dr.wynneleung@gmail.com
Lyndon
Charlene A
CA
D000136:Acid-Base Equilibrium; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis; D003250:Constriction; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014469:Umbilical Arteries