Source : Siemens Healthcare
Tarrytown, N.Y., May 18, 2012 – Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics received CE Mark approval to offer pleural fluid pH¹ testing on its RAPIDPoint® 500 Blood Gas System, providing laboratories and point-of-care coordinators in Europe with an important new diagnostic tool for use in critical care situations. Measuring pleural fluid pH gives clinicians information that can help guide therapy for patients. Pleural fluid effusions may be a symptom of underlying illness such as heart failure, pulmonary embolism, cancer and kidney disease.²
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.³ While these measurements can be taken using pH meters or indicator sticks, multiple studies have shown these methods to be less accurate than readings conducted using a blood gas analyzer. 4,5,6 Moreover, the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) recommends the use of blood gas analyzers as the preferred pleural fluid chemistry test for categorizing and managing parapneumonic effusions.7
The addition of pleural fluid pH testing on the company’s RAPIDPoint 500 system complements the analyzer’s comprehensive critical care menu, which includes tests for blood gases, electrolytes, glucose and lactate8 and full CO-oximetry, including neonatal total bilirubin and total hemoglobin. The RAPIDPoint 500 system leverages proven Siemens technology to deliver laboratory-quality results in approximately 60 seconds from a single, whole blood sample. Further, the analyzer’s measurement cartridges last up to 28 days and contain a full complement of tests, which reduces downtime.
For more information about pleural fluid testing on the RAPIDPoint 500 system, please visit www.siemens.com/rp500pf
1. Disclaimer: The products/features (mentioned herein) are not commercially available in all countries. Due to regulatory reasons their future availability cannot be guaranteed. Please contact your local Siemens organization for further details. Under development. Not available for sale in the U.S.
2. Cleveland Clinic. Diseases & Conditions. Pleural Effusion - Heart & Vascular Institute Overview. Available at http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/pleural_effusion/ts_overview.aspx
Accessed 3/28/12.
3. Good JT, Jr Taryle DA, Maulitz RM, et al: The diagnostic value of pleural fluid pH. Chest. 1980, 78:55-59
4. Chandler T, McCoskey E, Byrd R et al. Comparison of the use and accuracy of methods for determining pleural fluid pH. South Med J 1999; 92:214-17
5. Cheng DS, Rodriquez R, Rogers J et al. Comparison of pleural fluid pH obtained using blood gas machine, pH meter, and pH indicator strip. Chest 1998; 144:1368-72
6. Lesh E, Robin B. Is pH paper an acceptable, low-cost alternative to the blood gas analyzer for determining pleural fluid pH? Chest 1997; 112:1291-92
7. Colic Gl, Curtis A. Deslauriers J, et al: Medical and surgical treatment of parapneuomonic effusions: An evidence-based guideline (AACP consensus statement) Chest 2000, 188:1158-1171
8. Under FDA review. Not available for sale in U.S
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Susan Drew
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