Central venous blood gas values are generally similar to arterial values with some minor adjustments. The central venous pH is usually 0.03 to 0.05 lower than arterial pH, PCO2 is 4 to 5 mmHg higher, and HCO3 is similar. Peripheral venous values have a pH 0.02 to 0.04 lower, PCO2 3 to 8 mmHg higher, and HCO3 1 to 2 meq/L higher than arterial. While venous values can estimate arterial values with adjustments, direct arterial measurement is more accurate for oxygenation assessment and periodic correlation between arterial and venous is prudent due to variability.