Verenkaasun

Verenkaasun is a Finnish medical term used to describe the dissolved gases and related chemical parameters in blood, most often in the context of arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis. The word is formed from veren meaning blood and kaasu meaning gas; in grammatical constructs it commonly appears in the genitive verenkaasun to mean “the blood gas” or “the blood gases.”

In clinical practice, verenkaasun analysis measures pH, PaO2, PaCO2, bicarbonate (HCO3-), base excess, and often lactate and hemoglobin saturation (SaO2). Arterial blood samples are typically drawn from an accessible artery, most commonly the radial artery. Samples must be collected carefully to prevent air exposure and metabolic alterations, and are analyzed immediately with a blood gas analyzer. Pre-analytical handling, including temperature control and timely analysis, is important to ensure accuracy.

Interpretation centers on acid–base status. pH indicates the overall balance between acids and bases; PaCO2 reflects respiratory regulation, while HCO3- indicates metabolic compensation. Clinically, verenkaasun values are used to diagnose respiratory disorders (respiratory acidosis/alkalosis), metabolic disturbances (metabolic acidosis/alkalosis), and mixed disorders, as well as to monitor critically ill patients and those under anesthesia.

Venous blood gas (VBG) testing can provide approximate information when arterial sampling is not feasible, though it is less reliable for oxygenation and requires different interpretation.

See also: arterial blood gas, acid-base balance, ABG analyzer.