Table 1.
Diagnostic value of ABGA parameters to identify disorders responsible for acute dyspnea (only significant variables)
| Variable | OR (95% CI) | AUC (95% CI) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Acute heart failure | pH | 0.58 (0.44-0.77) | 0.615 (0.57-0.66) |
| PaCO2 | 0.81 (0.69-0.95) | ||
| Exacerbated COPD or asthma | pH | 1.64 (1.14-2.37) | 0.670 (0.63-0.71) |
| PaCO2 | 1.44 (1.20-1.73) | ||
| Hypoxemia | 1.71 (1.04-2.82) | ||
| Pulmonary embolism | PaCO2 | 0.61 (0.44-0.85) | 0.678 (0.64-0.72) |
| Pneumonia or bronchitis | Hypoxemia | 1.84 (1.07-3.17) | 0.558 (0.51-0.60) |
| Anxiety disorder | pH | 4.50 (2.27-8.92) | 0.855 (0.82-0.88) |
| Hypoxemia | 0.21 (0.07-0.65) | ||
| Pulmonary disorder | pH | 1.40 (1.06-1.87) | 0.639 (0.60-0.66) |
| PaCO2 | 1.31 (1.12-1.54) | ||
| Hypoxemia | 2.01 (1.37-3.13) |
Multivariable logistic regression analysis. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) for independent arterial blood gas analysis (ABGA) parameters; Categorial variables included in the model were hypoxemia, metabolic acidosis or alkalosis, respiratory acidosis or alkalosis, mixed-type alkalosis or acidosis, pH, partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2), and partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2). OR are given for any increase of 1 kPa for PaO2 or PaCO2, and 0.1 for pH. Area under the curve (AUC) quantifying the diagnostic accuracy of the individual variables in settings with only one significant diagnostic ABGA variable (pulmonary embolism and community-acquired pneumonia), and for the optimal combination of ABGA variables in settings with more than one significant variables (all others). COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.