Farheen Aslam, Asma Shaukat, Zakir Ali, Tariq M Arain.
Influence of tourniquet application; on selected chemical analytes.
Professional Med J Jan ;20(5):798-803.

Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the mean change in selected chemical analytes with and without application of tourniquet. Data source: Blood samples were collected from all persons irrespective of age and gender visiting pathology laboratory, Quaid-e-Azam Medical College, Bahawalpur. Study design: The study was a Quasi experimental study. Setting: The study was carried out in Pathology Laboratory, Quaid-e-Azam Medical College, Bahawalpur on Selectra XL and Easy lyte. Period: October 2011 to April 2012. Subject and method: Blood samples were taken from both arms of 265 volunteer with one difference that standardized external pressure of 60 mm Hg was applied by using a sphygmomanometer for one minute on one arm and on other arm blood sample was collected without application of tourniquet. Results: Samples with tourniquet application showed statistically significant mean increase in serum concentration of protein (p =0.001), cholesterol (p=0.03), calcium (p =0.007) and potassium (p=0.0001). The mean concentration of serum sodium and chloride showed no statistically significant change after one minute of tourniquet application. Conclusions: The tourniquet application of one minute influence certain laboratory parameters, so its use should be kept to a minimum.

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