Comparison of serum sodium levels measured by blood gas analyzer and biochemistry autoanalyzer in patients with hyponatremia, eunatremia, and hypernatremia

Updates in hyponatremia and hypernatremia

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Hyponatremia and hypernatremia are commonly encountered electrolyte abnormalities that require timely and careful intervention, as they can be associated with significant morbidity and mortality.

RECENT FINDINGS

This review article addresses the etiology, presentation, diagnosis, and management of both hyponatremia and hypernatremia, emphasizing the latest advancements and emerging trends in pediatric care.

SUMMARY

A methodical approach is needed to accurately assess and treat hyponatremia and hypernatremia. Both conditions continue to rely on serum and urine testing, however newer tests such as copeptin and stimulated testing may hold promise to further refine testing in the future.

Association Between Early Hyponatremia and Clinical Outcomes in Critically Ill Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study

INTRODUCTION

Hyponatremia, frequently encountered in intensive care (ICU) settings, plays a critical role in shaping patient outcomes. Despite its prevalence, contemporary research into its newly classified severity categories and their implications on mortality, renal function, and length of stay remains limited. This study aims to fill this gap by examining the impact of hyponatremia severity on these critical outcomes.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of ICU patients aged >18 years who were admitted between March 2019 and December 2022 was conducted at Hamamatsu University Hospital, Shizuoka, Japan. Patients who were readmitted or had incomplete data were excluded. Hyponatremia was categorized as mild (130-135 mmol/L), moderate (125-129 mmol/L), or severe (<125 mmol/L), following the criteria set by the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine. This classification utilized the lowest sodium concentration within 24 hours of ICU admission. The outcomes were in-hospital mortality, ICU mortality, newly implemented renal replacement therapy (RRT), and length of hospital and ICU stay. Outcomes were analyzed using multivariable logistic and linear regression models, adjusting for relevant covariates including age, sex, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) III scores, and the use of mechanical ventilation.

RESULTS

Of the 3,538 patients analyzed, 1,072 (30.3%) experienced hyponatremia: 894 (25.3%) mild, 144 (4.1%) moderate, and 34 (1.0%) severe. Multivariable analysis revealed no significant association between hyponatremia severity and in-hospital mortality rates across normonatremia (3.8%), mild (5.2%), moderate (11.8%), and severe (23.5%) groups, nor with ICU mortality. However, compared to normonatremia, moderate and severe hyponatremia were associated with increased RRT initiation (odds ratios = 3.83 and 6.36, respectively) and prolonged hospital stay (mean difference = 7.06 and 9.66 days, respectively), and ICU stays (mean difference, 1.02 and 2.70 days, respectively). Mild hyponatremia was not significantly associated with RRT or length of stay.

CONCLUSION

Moderate-to-severe hyponatremia did not influence mortality but was associated with increased RRT initiation and prolonged hospital and ICU stay. By contrast, mild hyponatremia was not associated with any clinical outcome. Further research is required to determine if correcting hyponatremia directly improves ICU patient outcomes, given the observational nature of the study.

[Consensus recommendations on the diagnosis and treatment of hyponatremia from the Austrian Society for Nephrology 2024]

Hyponatremia is a disorder of water homeostasis. Water balance is maintained by the collaboration of renal function and cerebral structures, which regulate thirst mechanisms and secretion of the antidiuretic hormone. Measurement of serum-osmolality, urine osmolality and urine-sodium concentration help to diagnose the different reasons for hyponatremia. Hyponatremia induces cerebral edema and might lead to severe neurological symptoms, which need acute therapy. Also, mild forms of hyponatremia should be treated causally, or at least symptomatically. An inadequate fast increase of the serum sodium level should be avoided, because it raises the risk of cerebral osmotic demyelination. Basic pathophysiological knowledge is necessary to identify the different reasons for hyponatremia which need different therapeutic procedures.

Compatibility levels between blood gas analysis and central laboratory hemoglobin and electrolyte tests in pediatric patients: A single-center experience

INTRODUCTION

We aimed to evaluate the interchangeability of sodium, potassium, hemoglobin, and hematocrit measurement between the blood gas analyzers and laboratory automatic analyzers results.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cross-sectional study. The results of 1927 paired samples analyzed simultaneously with the blood gas analyzer and the laboratory automatic analyzer were compared. The Bland-Altman and Cohen's kappa statistic detected the agreement between the two analyses.

RESULTS

The limits of agreement (±1.96 standard deviation of the mean difference) were -11.1 to 20.3 for sodium, -1.9 to 0.5 for potassium, -16.1 to 12.9 for hematocrit, and -5.0 to 4.0 for hemoglobin. Agreement between the two analyses was not acceptable within the defined clinically acceptable limits. In addition, none of the kappa values were higher than 0.60, which highlights the lack of agreement between the two analyzers.

CONCLUSION

The blood gas analyzers and laboratory automatic analyzers results cannot be used interchangeably.

Hyponatremia in the emergency department

Hyponatremia, defined as a serum sodium <135 mmol/L, is frequently encountered in patients presenting to the emergency department. Symptoms are often unspecific and include a recent history of falls, weakness and vertigo. Common causes of hyponatremia include diuretics, heart failure as well as Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuresis (SIAD) and correct diagnosis can be challenging. Emergency treatment of hyponatremia should be guided by presence of symptoms and focus on distinguishing between acute and chronic hyponatremia.

Measuring serum sodium levels using blood gas analyzer and auto analyzer in heart and lung disease patients: A cross-sectional study

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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Emergency services require precise and rapid measurement of electrolytes to initiate treatment.

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Blood gas analyzers analyzes blood samples in seconds however, its accuracy is still debatable.

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Blood gas analyzer method has a high correlation with laboratory analyzer.

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In cases of hypernatremia, the blood gas analyzer method decreases and especially in acidosis.

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In patients with pulmonary problems, the difference with laboratory method increases.

Clinical factors within a week of birth influencing sodium level difference between an arterial blood gas analyzer and an autoanalyzer in VLBWIs: A retrospective study

Neonatologists often experience sodium ion level difference between an arterial blood gas analyzer (direct method) and an autoanalyzer (indirect method) in critically ill neonates. We hypothesize that clinical factors besides albumin and protein in the blood that cause laboratory errors might be associated with sodium ion level difference between the 2 methods in very-low-birth-weight infants during early life after birth. Among very-low-birth-weight infants who were admitted to Jeonbuk National Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Units from October 2013 to December 2016, 106 neonates were included in this study. Arterial blood sample was collected within an hour after birth. Blood gas analyzer and biochemistry autoanalyzer were performed simultaneously. Seventy-six (71.7%) were found to have sodium ion difference exceeding 4 mmol/L between 2 methods. The mean difference of sodium ion level was 5.9 ± 6.1 mmol/L, exceeding 4 mmol/L. Based on sodium ion level difference, patients were divided into >4 and ≤4 mmol/L groups. The sodium level difference >4 mmol/L group showed significantly (P < .05) higher sodium level by biochemistry autoanalyzer, lower albumin, lower protein, and higher maximum percent of physiological weight than the sodium level difference ≤4 mmol/L group. After adjusting for factors showing significant difference between the 2 groups, protein at birth (odds ratio: 0.835, 95% confidence interval: 0.760-0.918, P < .001) and percent of maximum weight loss (odds ratio: 1.137, 95% confidence interval: 1.021-1.265, P = .019) were factor showing significant associations with sodium level difference >4 mmol/L between 2 methods. Thus, difference in sodium level between blood gas analyzer and biochemistry autoanalyzer in early stages of life could reflect maximum physiology weight loss. Based on this study, if the study to predict the body's composition of extracellular and intracellular fluid is proceeded, it will help neonatologist make clinical decisions at early life of preterm infants.

Discrepancies in Electrolyte Measurements by Direct and Indirect Ion Selective Electrodes due to Interferences by Proteins and Lipids

Objectives  We aim to report the simultaneous effect of different protein and lipid concentrations on sodium (Na ⁺ ) and potassium (K ⁺ ) measurement by direct and indirect ion selective electrodes (dISE and iISE) in patient samples.

Materials and Methods  Na ⁺ and K ⁺ were measured in 195 serum samples received in the laboratory using iISE by Roche Modular P800 autoanalyzer and using dISE by XI-921 ver. 6.0 Caretium electrolyte analyzer. Serum total protein (TP), cholesterol (Chol), and triglycerides (TG) were measured using conventional photometric methods on Roche Modular P800 autoanalyzer. Differences for each pair of results for Na ⁺ (Diff_Na ⁺ = [Na ⁺_dISE– Na ⁺_iISE ]) and K ⁺ (Diff_K ⁺ = [K ⁺_dISE– K ⁺_iISE ]) were calculated. Patient subgroups with high, normal, or low TP (< 5, 5–7.9, or ≥ 8 g/dL), Chol (< 150, 150–299, or ≥300 mg/dL), or TG (< 150, 150–299, or ≥300 mg/dL) were compared using analysis of variance. Note that 95% confidence interval of Diff_Na ⁺ and Diff_K ⁺ were calculated to see the number of samples showing clinically significant differences.

Results  Diff_Na ⁺ ( p = 0.007) and Diff_K ⁺ ( p = 0.002) were found significant between samples with normal and high TP. However, effect of TG was not significant. Chol concentration affected Diff_Na ⁺ significantly between low versus normal ( p = 0.002), and high versus normal ( p = 0.031) Chol groups. Diff_K ⁺ was significant ( p = 0.009) between low versus normal Chol. Clinically relevant disagreement of ≥|5| mmol/L for Na ⁺ was observed in high percentage of samples including all subcategories; however, for K ⁺ only 3.6% of the total samples showed disagreement of ≥ |0.5| mmol/L. A multivariate regression equation based on fit regression model was also derived.

Conclusion  Summarily, interchangeable use of electrolyte results from dISE and iISE is not advisable, especially in a setting of hyperproteinemia (≥8 g/dL) or hypercholesterolemia (≥300 mg/dL); more so for Na ⁺ .

Comparison of electrolyte and glucose levels measured by a blood gas analyzer and an automated biochemistry analyzer among hospitalized patients

Background

Blood gas analyzers are capable of delivering results on electrolytes and metabolites within a few minutes and facilitate clinical decision‐making. However, whether the results can be used interchangeably with values measured by chemistry analyzers remains controversial.

Blood gas analyzers are capable of delivering results on electrolytes and metabolites within a few minutes and facilitate clinical decision‐making. However, whether the results can be used interchangeably with values measured by chemistry analyzers remains controversial.

Methods

In total, arterial and matched venous blood samples were collected from 200 hospitalized patients. Arterial blood samples were evaluated using a RAPIDPOINT 500 to test electrolyte and glucose levels, then the samples were centrifuged and the same parameters were measured with an AU5800. Venous blood samples were processed and tested in accordance with standard operation procedures. Data were compared by using a paired t test, the agreement between the two analyzers was evaluated by using the Bland‐Altman test, and sensitivity and specificity were calculated.

Results

Paired t tests showed that all parameters tested were significantly different between the two analyzers except chloride. The biases calculated indicated that blood gas analyzers tend to underestimate the parameters, and the linear regression showed a strong correlation between the two analyzers. The sensitivity, specificity and kappa values demonstrated that the diagnostic performance of blood gas analyzers is not satisfactory.

Conclusion

The significant reduction in parameter estimation and diagnostic performance we observed suggested that clinicians should interpret results from blood gas analyzers more cautiously. The reference interval of blood gas analyzers should be adjusted accordingly, given that values are underestimated.

Hyponatraemia: the importance of obtaining a detailed history and corroborating point-of-care analysis with laboratory testing

We describe a 67-year-old man admitted from a mental health unit with an incidental finding of hyponatraemia on routine blood tests. Laboratory investigations were in keeping with syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH). He had been recently commenced on mirtazapine. During his inpatient stay, he became increasingly confused. Review of a previous admission with hyponatraemia raised the possibility of voltage-gated potassium channel antibody-associated limbic encephalitis, although subsequent investigations deemed this unlikely as a cause of hyponatraemia. Although his sodium levels improved with fluid restriction, serial point-of-care testing proved misleading in monitoring the efficacy of treatment as inconsistencies were seen in comparison with laboratory testing. The cause of hyponatraemia may have been medication-induced SIADH and/or polydipsia. This case highlights the importance of collating detailed histories and laboratory blood testing to guide management in cases of hyponatraemia of unknown aetiology.

Correlation between sodium, potassium, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and glucose values as measured by a laboratory autoanalyzer and a blood gas analyzer

INTRODUCTION

Blood gas analyzers can be alternatives to laboratory autoanalyzers for obtaining test results in just a few minutes. We aimed to find out whether the results from blood gas analyzers are reliable when compared to results of core laboratory autoanalyzers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective, single-centered study examined the electronic records of patients admitted to the emergency department of a tertiary care teaching hospital between May 2014 and December 2017. Excluded from the study were patients under 18 years old, those lacking data, those who had any treatment before the laboratory tests, those whose venous gas results were reported more than 30 minutes after the blood sample was taken and for whom any of the laboratory tests were performed at a different time, and recurrent laboratory results from a single patient.

RESULTS

Laboratory results were analyzed from a total of 31,060 patients. The correlation coefficients for sodium, potassium, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and glucose levels measured by a blood gas analyzer and a laboratory autoanalyzer were 0.725, 0.593, 0.982, 0.958, and 0.984, respectively; however, there were no good, acceptable agreement limits for any of the parameters. In addition, these results did not change according to the different pH stages (acidosis, normal pH and alkalosis).

CONCLUSION

The two types of measurements showed a moderate correlation for sodium and potassium levels and a strong correlation for glucose, hemoglobin, and hematocrit levels, but none of the levels had acceptable agreement limits. Clinicians should be aware of the limitations of blood gas analyzer results.