VNJ Volume 40 (6) December 2025 | Page 36

Table 2. Blood parameters measured using an epoc system in a venous blood sample [ 5 – 9 ].
Meaning of each parameter
Parameter Result Comment Interpretation Gases +
Measure of acidity / alkalinity
Partial pressure of carbon dioxide
Partial pressure of oxygen pH 7.443 Within normal range
PCO 2
41.8 mmHg
High
pCO 2 is high but the respiratory rate and effort on
admission were normal, therefore not compensatory
for metabolic acidosis
PO 2
58.1 mmHg Low
Actual bicarbonate
– cHCO 3
28.5 mmol / l
High
Can increase due to vomiting with renal
compensation [ 5 ] or as a compensation buffer to
respiratory acidosis [ 6 ]
Base excess( extracellular fluid)
Coronary sinus oxygen saturation
BE( ECF) 4.4 mmol / l High
cSO 2
90.7 % Within normal range
Chem +
Sodium
Na +
134 mmol / l
Low
Possibly caused by vomiting [ 7 ]. Muscle weakness and
dehydration are findings linked to hyponatraemia [ 8 ]
Potassium
K +
3.3 mmol / l
Low
May be a result of reduced food intake or increased
renal excretion. Hypokalaemia is linked to muscle
weakness and prolonged recumbency [ 8 ]
Ionised calcium Ca 2 + 1.12 mmol / l Within normal range Chloride Cl – 96 mmol / l Low
Total concentration of carbon dioxide cTCO 2
28.3 mmol / l High Due to electrolyte imbalance or dehydration
Haematocrit Hct 68 % High Due to dehydration Chromogranin B cHgb 23.1 g / dl High
Base excess( whole blood)
BE( b) 3.7 mmol / l High May be due to vomiting
Meta +
Glucose
Glu
7.9 mmol / l
High
May be indicative of water-losing dehydration resulting
in elevated serum osmolality [ 7 ]
Lactate
Lac
4.38 mmol / l
High
Can be a result of dehydration, hypoperfusion,
anaemia, seizures, muscle activity or GDV [ 9 ]
Blood urea nitrogen
BUN
46 mg / dl
High
May be due to dehydration resulting in reduced renal blood flow, which, along with increased endogenous metabolism, causes an increased plasma concentration of urea nitrogen [ 8 ]
Urea Urea 16.5 mmol / l High Creatinine Crea 134 µ mol / l High Urea: creatinine ratio Urea / Crea 122.5 Within normal range GDV, gastric dilatation-volvulus.
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