Dose calcium balanced heparin affect blood gas and electrolyte analysis?

Abstract  The effect of calcium-balanced heparin (471896, CIBA CORNING) on blood gas and electrolyte analysis was evaluated, by comparing with that of sodium heparin (Na heparin). One ml of whole blood was collected into a syringe, which contained calcium-balance heparin (Ca balanced heparin) or Na heparin. 122 pairs of blood samples obtained from 15 patients were analyzed for Na, K, ionized calcium (Ca++), total hemoglobin, pH, PCO 2, and PO 2 by an automatic blood gas and electrolyte analyzer, CIBA CORNING model 288. There was a significant difference (P 0.05) in pH, PCO 2, Na, and Ca++ between the two different groups. Ca++ concentration was significantly less in Na heparin group than in Ca balanced heparin group, probably due to more chelation of Ca++ by Na heparin than Ca balanced heparin. The present study suggests that the Ca balanced heparin has minimal effect on the blood gas and electrolyte analysis, and is a suitable anticoagulant for the Ca++ measurement.(Ochiai R, Nagano M: Does calcium balanced heparin affect blood gas and electrolyte analysis? J Anesth 4: 61–65, 1990)