Evaluation of the i-STAT Blood Gas Analysis System in Cardiovascular Surgery

The aim of this study was toinvestigate the compatibility of the parameters measured with the i-STAT blood gas analyser and the conventional blood gas analyser Rapid Point 500 (Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, USA) in patients who underwent cardiovascular surgery. This clinical study included fifty patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery. Fifty whole blood samples were portioned and measured on the i-STAT and RP500 laboratory analyzers. The compatibility between pH, pCO2, pO2, Hb, Na+, K+, iCa2+ and glucose values was investigated.There was a good correlation of the i-STAT analyser with the RP500 analyser, with the exception Hb and Na+. Also all parameters except for Hb and ionized calcium were found to be within acceptable range in terms of clinical decision limits. It is very important that the point-of-care devices give accurate results as well as quick results. For this reason, we absolutely think that the point of care devices should be subjected to external and internal quality control programs, users should be trained regularly and feedback studies should be done

The ecology of freshwater bivalves in the Lake Sapanca Basin, Turkey

Despite the ecological importance and globally threatened status of freshwater bivalves, the freshwater mussel fauna of Turkey has hitherto received little attention. The aim of this study was to describe the ecology of freshwater mussels of the Lake Sapanca Basin (NW Turkey) to provide baseline data against which to measure future trends. Five native mussel species belonging to three genera were encountered in surveys; Anodonta cygnea, A. anatina, Unio pictorum, U. crassus and Dreissena polymorpha. In addition, an invasive species from Asia, A. woodiana, was recorded in the region for the first time. A. cygnea and U. pictorum were the most abundant species in the lake, while U. crassus was most abundant in the associated stream. Age and growth parameters were estimated for U. pictorum and U. crassus, and indicated that the latter species had a younger median age and faster growth rate than the former, possibly a function of exclusively occupying a nutrient enriched stream. The bio-ecological features of the bivalve fauna of the Lake Sapanca Basin, as well as the implications of the introduction of A. woodiana, are discussed.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe