In order to verify the viability of blood gas analysis in bovine venous blood stored on ice water bath, two samples (10ml each) were taken from the jugular vein of 14 healthy animals (7 males and 7 females), 1- to 5-year-old, using plastic syringes and attached needles filled with sodium heparin (1,000IU). The blood samples were obtained anaerobically, the air bubbles observed were immediately removed, and the needle was maintened capped with a rubber stopper. Each syringe of the pair was distinctally stored at room temperature (23-30ºC) or in ice water bath (0-4ºC) during the experimental period. Values of pH, carbon dioxide (PvCO2) and oxigen (PvO2) tensions, bicarbonate (HCO3-), total carbon dioxide (TCO2), base excess (BE), standard bicarbonate (StB), oxigen saturation (SatO2), and oxigen content (O2) were determined soon after sampling and after 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 24 hours. According to the type of storage temperature, the results were analysed through repeated measurements ANOVA, considering the contrast between the mean value of each time and the initial one. On the storage at room temperature, the in vitro changes were characterized from continuous decreases in pH, PvO2, BE, StB, SatO2, and O2 values, and gradual increase in PvCO2, starting at 2- or 3-hour after the collection. In the samples stored at 0-4ºC, on the other hand, the changes in pH occurred only at the 4th hour, and the stability of the PvCO2, BE, and StB values were maintened for up to the 6th hour. These results indicated that the diagnostic utility of blood gas analysis is conserved in bovine venous blood samples adequately stored up to 6 hours in ice water bath, at 0-4ºC.
blood gas analysis; storage; venous blood; cattle
