Pleural Fluid pH Testing Now Available on RAPIDPoint 500 Blood Gas Analyzer

Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics has received CE Mark approval to offer pleural fluid pH testing on its RAPIDPoint^® 500 Blood Gas System. The announcement will provide laboratories and point-of-care coordinators in Europe with an important new diagnostic tool for use in critical care situations.

Pleural fluid effusions may be a symptom of underlying illness such as heart failure, pulmonary embolism, cancer and kidney disease. When a patient’s pleural fluid pH is less than 7.30 (normal pleural fluid pH is estimated at 7.64), it may suggest the presence of an inflammatory or infiltrative process.

pH measurements can be taken using pH meters or indicator sticks, however studies have shown that these methods are less accurate than readings conducted using a blood gas analyzer. The American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) also recommends the use of blood gas analyzers as the preferred pleural fluid chemistry test for categorizing and managing parapneumonic effusions.

The addition of pleural fluid pH testing on the Siemens RAPIDPoint 500 system complements the analyzer’s comprehensive critical care menu, which includes tests for blood gases, electrolytes, glucose and lactate, and full CO-oximetry, including neonatal total bilirubin and total hemoglobin. The system is able to deliver laboratory-quality results in approximately 60 seconds from a single, whole blood sample. The analyzer’s measurement cartridges last up to 28 days and contain a full complement of tests, which helps to reduce downtime.

For more information on the RAPIDPoint 500 system, please follow the company website link, or click on the request info button below.