BLOOD GASES AND ACIDBASE DISORDERS

Dr. Wan Nedra Sp. A Pediatricts Departement University of YARSI

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
By the end of the session, the student will be able to: 1. Identify the causes of acid base imbalance in children. 2. Recognise the clinical manifestations that may be seen in a child with acid base imbalance. 3. Interpret blood gas analysis.

CAPILLARY BLOOD GASES: pH: Same as arterial or slightly lower (Normal = 7.35-7.40) pCO2: Same as arterial or slightly higher (Normal = 40-45) pO2: Lower than arterial (Normal = 45-60) O2 Saturation: >70% is acceptable.

blood gas machines

The blood gas machines in most labs actually measure the pH ,the pCO2 and the pO2. The [HCO3-] and the base difference are calculated values using the HendersonHasselbalch equation

For a rough estimate of [H+]

[H+] = (7.80 -pH) x100. This is accurate from a pH 7.25 to 7.48; 40 mEq/L = [H+] at the normal pH of 7.40. pH is a log scale, and for every change of 0.3 in pH from 7.40 the [H+] doubles or halves. For pH 7.10 the [H+] = 2 x 40, or 80 nmol/L, and for pH 7.70 the [H+] = 1/2 x40, or 20 nmol/L.

pCO2 and pH
A change in pCO2 up or down 10 mm Hg is associated with an increase or decrease in pH of 0.08 units. As the pCO2 decreases, the pH increases; as the pCO2 increases, the pH decreases.

base deficit and base excess

A pH change of 0.15 is equivalent to a base change of 10 mEq/L. A decrease in base (i.e, [HCO3-]) is termed a base deficit, and an increase in base is termed a base excess.

Acidosis and alkalosis

Acid-base disorders are very common clinical problems. Acidemia is a pH <7.37, and alkalemia is a pH >7.44. Acidosis and alkalosis are used to describe how the pH changes. The primary causes of acid-base disturbances are abnormalities in the respiratory system and in the metabolic or renal system.

normal compensatory response

Any primary disturbance in acid-base homeostasis invokes a normal compensatory response. A primary metabolic disorder leads to respiratory compensation, and a primary respiratory disorder leads to an acute metabolic response due to the buffering capacity of body fluids. A more chronic compensation (1-2 days) due to alterations in renal function.

Mixed acid-base disorder

Most acid-base disorders result from a single primary disturbance with the normal physiologic compensatory response and are called simple acid-base disorders. In certain cases, however, particularly in seriously ill patients, two or more different primary disorders may occur simultaneously, resulting in a mixed acid-base disorder. The net effect of mixed disorders may be additive (eg, metabolic acidosis and respiratory acidosis) and result in extreme alteration of pH; or they may be opposite (eg, metabolic acidosis and respiratory alkalosis) and nullify each others effects on the pH.

INTERPRETATION OF BLOOD GASES

Step 1: Determine if the numbers fit. The right side of the equation should be within about 10% of the left side. If the numbers do not fit, you need to obtain another ABG

INTERPRETATION OF BLOOD GASES Step 2: determine if an acidemia (pH <7.37) or an alkalemia (pH >7.44) is present.

Step 3: Identify the primary disturbance as metabolic or respiratory.

For example, if acidemia is present, is the pCO2 >44 mm Hg (respiratory acidosis), or is the [HCO3 -] <22 mmol/L (metabolic acidosis). In other words, identify which component, respiratory or metabolic, is altered in the same direction as the pH abnormality.

If both components act in the same direction (eg, both respiratory [pCO2 > 44 mm Hg] and metabolic [HCO3 - <22 mmol/L] acidosis are present), then this is a mixed acid-base problem. The primary disturbance will be the one that varies from normal the greatest, that is, with a [HCO3 -] = 6 mmol/L and pCO2 = 50 mm Hg, the primary disturbance would be a metabolic acidosis, the [HCO3 -] is about one-quarter normal, whereas the increase in pCO2 is only 25%.

Step 4:
Calculate the anion gap. Anion gap = Na+ - (Cl- + HCO3 -). Normal anion gap is 8-12 mmol.

Step 5: If the anion gap is elevated

Then compare the changes from normal between the anion gap and [HCO3 -]. If the change in the anion gap is greater than the change in the [HCO3 -] from normal, then a metabolic alkalosis is present in addition to a gap metabolic acidosis. If the change in the anion gap is less than the change in the [HCO3 -] from normal, then a non gap metabolic acidosis is present in addition to a gap metabolic acidosis.

METABOLIC ACIDOSIS: DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

Metabolic acidosis represents an increase in acid in body fluids . Reflected by a decrease in [HCO3 -] and a compensatory decrease in pCO2.

Anion Gap Acidosis:

Anion gap >12 mmol/L; caused by a decrease in [HCO3 -] balanced by an increase in an unmeasured acid ion from either endogenous production or exogenous ingestion (normochloremic acidosis).

Treatment of Metabolic Acidosis

1. Correct any underlying disorder (control diarrhea, etc). 2. Treatment with bicarbonate should be reserved for severe metabolic gap acidosis. If the pH <7.20, correct with sodium bicarbonate. The total replacement dose of [HCO3 -] can be calculated as follows: 3. Replace with one-half the total amount of bicarbonate over 8-12 h and reevaluate. Be aware of sodium and volume overload during replacement. Normal or isotonic bicarbonate drip is made with 3 ampules NaHCO3 (50 mmol NaHCO3/ampule) in 1 L D5W.

METABOLIC ALKALOSIS:
Metabolic alkalosis represents an increase in [HCO3 -] with a compensatory rise in pCO2.

Treatment of Metabolic Alkalosis

Correct the underlying disorder. 1. Chloride-responsive a. Replace volume with NaCl if depleted. b. Correct hypokalemia if present. c. NH4Cl and HCl should be reserved for extreme cases. 2. Chloride-resistant a. Treat underlying problem, such as stopping exogenous steroids.

RESPIRATORY ACIDOSIS: DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

Respiratory acidosis is a primary rise in pCO2 with a compensatory rise in plasma [HCO3 -]. Increased pCO2 occurs in clinical situations in which decreased alveolar ventilation occurs.

Differential Diagnosis
1. Neuromuscular Abnormalities with Ventilatory Failure 2. Central Nervous System Drugs, Sedative,,Central sleep apnea 3. Airway Obstruction a. Chronic (COPD) b. Acute (asthma) c. Upper airway obstruction d. Obstructive sleep apnea 4. Thoracic/Pulmonary Disorders a. Bony thoracic cage: Flail chest, kyphoscoliosis b. Parenchymal lesions: Pneumothorax, pulmonary edema, c. Large pleural effusions d. Scleroderma e. Marked obesity (Pickwickian syndrome)

Treatment of Respiratory Acidosis

Improve Ventilation: Intubate patient and place on ventilator, increase ventilator rate, reverse narcotic sedation with naloxone (Narcan), etc

RESPIRATORY ALKALOSIS:
Respiratory alkalosis is a primary fall in pCO2 with a compensatory decrease in plasma [HCO3 -]. Respiratory alkalosis occurs with increased alveolar ventilation.

Differential Diagnosis
1. Central stimulation a. Anxiety, hyperventilation syndrome, pain b. Head trauma or CVA with central neurogenic hyperventilation c. Tumors d. Salicylate overdose e. Fever, early sepsis 2. Peripheral stimulation a. PE b. CHF (mild) c. Interstitial lung disease d. Pneumonia e. Altitude f. Hypoxemia: 3. Miscellaneous a. Hepatic insufficiency b. Pregnancy c. Progesterone d. Hyperthyroidism e. Iatrogenic mechanical overventilation

Treatment of Respiratory Alkalosis

Correct the underlying disorder. Hyperventilation Syndrome: Best treated by having the patient rebreathe into a paper bag to increase pCO2, decrease ventilator rate

LIVER METABOLISM PRODUCES H+

H+ BLOOD BUFFERS Protein, Bicarbonate & Phosphate H+

Protein buffers synthesised

METABOLISM CO2

H+

HCO3KIDNEYS

Excrete / reabsorb H + / HCO 3

LUNGS Eliminate CO2

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PCO2 in

arterial blood

more CO2 crosses blood brain barrier

PCO2 in
CSF

PCO2 in
arterial blood

RESPONSE TO HYPERCAPNIA

H+ in CSF

expiration of PCO2

stimulation of central chemoreceptors

rate and depth of ventilation

frequency of impulses to medullary rhythm generator

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Blood Gas Case Studies. 1. Anna is a 3 month old baby who has been in hospital for one week. She has been tested RSV +ve. She is having severe difficulty in breathing. PH Paco2 BE 7.15 9.25 kPa -1 mmol

What is Annas acid base status?

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2. Badu is a 15 year old who has been involved in a RTA. He was driving a stolen car. He has been admitted to your ward awaiting police investigation. He is very anxious. He begins to hyperventilate. PH 7.6 Paco2 3.15 kPa BE +3 mmol What is Budus acid base status?

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3. Rani is a 10 year old newly diagnosed diabetic. She has presented to A & E. She has been acutely unwell since this morning. It is now 2pm. PH Paco2 BE 7.10 4.2 kPa -10 mmol

What is Ranis acid base status?

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4. Andrew is a 4 week old baby. He has vomited post feeds since 1 week old. This vomiting has worsened, he has come to your ward for investigation into pyloric stenosis. PH 7.75 Paco2 5.8 kPa BE +8.7 mmol What is Andrews acid base status?

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5. Jessica is a 10 year old newly diagnosed diabetic. She has presented to A & E. She has been acutely unwell since Monday morning but her parents felt she would get better today. It is now Tuesday 2pm. PH 7.3 Paco2 3.35 kPa BE -5.9 mmol What is Jessicas acid base status?

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END OF SESSION EVALUATION

Please answer the following questions: 1. How has your ability to relate theory to practice changed as a result of this session? 2. What was the most valuable aspect of this session? 3. What was the most unclear aspect of this session? Selamat Belajar..
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