Roche v-TAC

Software application to calculate arterial blood gas values from venous blood

The new alternative to arterial sampling for blood gas measurement

Arterial blood gas is the gold standard for acid-base and blood gas testing in critical care. However, arterial punctures are complex, painful for the patient and come with a risk of side effects such as haematoma and infections.^1,2

Over the recent years there has been an increasing trend towards the use of venous blood, as it is more easily accessible and sample collection is less painful for the patient.⁶ While pH is largely similar between venous and arterial sampling, the venous pCO₂and pO₂ are different and therefore with limitations for what clinical applications venous blood gas can be used for.⁶

Roche v-TAC software helps to overcome these limitations.

Arterial blood gas values from a venous blood sample

Roche v-TAC software calculates arterial blood gas (ABG) values from venous peripheral blood gas measurement, combined with arterial oxygen saturation (SpO₂), measured by a pulse oximeter.

The precision of the v-TAC calculated values is comparable to that of repeated ABG values for blood gas parameters, including pH, pCO₂ and pO₂ (up to 10 kPa).⁵

Roche v-TAC may contribute to clinical, workflow and patient benefits

Roche v-TAC brochure

Improve patient screening in the emergency department

When screening patients, v-TAC reduces the need for separate arterial punctures, as robust arterial blood gas values can be calculated from venous blood.^6,7

Gain easier access to arterial blood gas values

With v-TAC, arterial blood gas testing can be done by other staff groups, which improves efficiency and reduces the workload of doctors and specialty-trained staff.^6,7

Improve patient experience

Arterial punctures can be painful and with a risk of side effects. The use of venous blood will improve the patient experience and reduce the risk of infections and complications such as hematoma.^6,7

How does it work?

It is very simple to operate Roche v-TAC in daily clinical practice. The software can be used with the cobas b 123 POC system (configurations 3 and 4) and cobas b 221 system from Roche. Additionally, it can work seamlessly with blood gas analyzers from other leading manufacturers.

After implementation, the operational workflow is as follows:

Collect the venous blood sample for blood gas analysis and the corresponding SpO₂
Select v-TAC on the blood gas analyser to activate conversion to arterial values and enter the SpO₂ value
The v-TAC software calculates the arterial blood gas values which instantly become available to the clinician

Scientific background

The v-TAC Software is based on an advanced algorithm and mathematical models of acid-base and blood chemistry by Rees & Andreassen.⁸

Watch the v-TAC scientific explanatory video and learn how the v-TAC software calculates arterial blood gas values from peripheral venous blood gas measurements, combined with pulse oximetry measurement of arterial oxygen saturation.

Discover v-TAC and its benefits

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General introduction to the Roche v-TAC software

Discover v-TAC and its benefits

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Scientific explanatory movie showing how v-TAC works

Discover v-TAC and its benefits

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Potential benefits from application of v-TAC

Discover v-TAC and its benefits

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v-TAC as a pCO2 Trending Tool

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Abbreviations

HCO₃: bicarbonate; kPa: kilopascal; pH: power of hydrogen; pCO₂: partial pressure of carbon dioxide; pO₂: partial pressure of oxygen; POC: point of care

References

Word Health Organisation (2010). Article available from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK138661/ [Accessed May 2020]
Hambsch et al. (2015). Clin Transl Sci 8, 857–870
McKeever et al. (2016). Thorax 71, 210-215
Byrne et al. (2014). Respirology 19, 168-175
Toftegaard et al. (2009). Emerg Med J 26, 268-272
Ekström et al. (2019). PLoS ONE 14(4):e0215413
Kamperidis et al. (2018). Thorax 73:A250
Rees SE et al. (2006). Comput Meth Prog Bio 81(1): 18-25.