Blood Gas, Venous

Test Code

VBG, VBG1, EVBG2

Alias/See Also

EPOC VBG, VBG1, EVBG2, Venous Blood Gas, VBG, Venous Blood Gas

CPT Codes
82803

Includes

pH, pCO2, pO2, and calculated values

Preferred Specimen

Syringe, Li Heparinized (SYR)

Minimum Volume

150 uL
92 uL EPOC

Other Acceptable Specimens

NCCLS Guideline for Venous Blood Gas Specimens: "Venous blood is Not a satisfactory substitute for arterial blood for routine blood gas analysis. When properly drawn, venous blood is suitable for pH and pCO2, Electrolytes, and assessment of the levels of dyshemoglobins such as COHb and MetHb. Venous samples collected in heparinized vacuum tubes are not suitable for the analysis of pO2, oxygen content, or oxygen saturation/fractional hemoglobin. Indeed, evacuated collection tubes contain a significant amount of oxygen that can markedly alter the pO2."

With that being said Venous Blood Gas samples should be collected in a syringe.

Instructions

Deliver to Lab immediately for analysis within 15 min. of collection. Place on ice if greater than 15 min.

Methodology
CRMC: Nova Blood Gas analyzer, EPOC
CCMC: IL Blood Gas analyzer, EPOC
FHSH: Radiometer Blood Gas analyzers

Setup Schedule

24x7

Reference Range

Test-VBG	Age and Gender	Reference Range	Critical Low	Critical High
PHV	0-3 Months	7.32-7.43	<7.20	>7.46
	> 3 Months	7.32-7.43	<7.24	>7.60
PCO2V mm{HG}	0-3 Months	38-50	<30	>80
	> 3 Months	38-50	<20	>60
PO2V mm{HG}	0-3 Months	35-55	<35
	> 3 Months	35-55
OSATV %	All	60-85
HCO3V mmol/L	0-3 Months	17-28	<10	>40
	> 3 Months	22-28	<10	>40
TCO2V mmol/L	ALL	22-29

Performing Laboratory
CRMC Laboratory
CCMC Laboratory
FHSH Laboratory
EPOC POCT at CRMC and CCMC

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.