ABG analysis & Acid-Base Disorders

2012
Outline
1. Discuss simple steps in analyzing ABGs
2. Calculate the anion gap
3. Calculate the delta gap
4. Differentials for specific acid-base disorders
Steps for ABG analysis
1. What is the pH? Acidemia or Alkalemia?
2. What is the primary disorder present?
3. Is there appropriate compensation?
4. Is the compensation acute or chronic?
5. Is there an anion gap?
6. If there is a AG check the delta gap?
7. What is the differential for the clinical processes?
Normal Values
Variable Normal
Range
pH 7.35 - 7.45
pCO2 35-45

Bicarbonate 22-26

Anion gap 10-14

Albumin 4
Step 1:
Look at the pH: is the blood acidemic or alkalemic?

EXAMPLE :
65yo M with CKD presenting with nausea, diarrhea
and acute respiratory distress
ABG :ABG 7.23/17/235 on 50% VM
BMP Na 123/ Cl 97/ HCO3 7/BUN 119/ Cr
5.1
ACIDMEIA OR ALKALEMIA ????
EXAMPLE ONE
ABG 7.23/17/235 on 50% VM
BMP Na 123/ Cl 97/ HCO3 7/BUN
119/ Cr 5.1
Answer PH = 7.23 , HCO3 7
Acidemia
Step 2: What is the primary disorder?

What disorder is pH pCO2 or HCO3

present?
Respiratory Acidosis pH low pCO2 high
Metabolic Acidosis pH low HCO3 low
Respiratory Alkalosis pH high pCO2 low
Metabolic Alkalosis pH high HCO3 high
EXAMPLE

ABG 7.23/17/235 on 50% VM

BMP Na 123/ Cl 97/ HCO3 7/BUN 119/ Cr 5.

PH is low , CO2 is Low

PH and PCO2 are going in same directions then its
most likely primary metabolic will check to see if
there is a mixed disoder.
Step 3-4: Is there appropriate
compensation? Is it chronic or acute?
Respiratory Acidosis
Acute: for every 10 increase in pCO2 -> HCO3 increases by 1 and
there is a decrease of 0.08 in pH MEMORIZE
Chronic: for every 10 increase in pCO2 -> HCO3 increases by 4
and there is a decrease of 0.03 in pH
Respiratory Alkalosis
Acute: for every 10 decrease in pCO2 -> HCO3 decreases by 2 and
there is a increase of 0.08 in PH MEMORIZE
Chronic: for every 10 decrease in pCO2 -> HCO3 decreases by 5
and there is a increase of 0.03 in PH
Step 3-4: Is there appropriate
compensation? Is it acute or chronic ?
Metabolic Acidosis
Winters formula: pCO2 = 1.5[HCO3] + 8 2 MEMORIZE
If serum pCO2 > expected pCO2 -> additional respiratory
acidosis
Metabolic Alkalosis
For every 10 increase in HCO3 -> pCO2 increases by 6
EXAMPLE
ABG 7.23/17/235 on 50% VM
BMP Na 123/ Cl 97/ HCO3 7/BUN 119/ Cr 5.

Winters formula : 17= 1.5 (7) +8 = 18.5

So correct compensation so there is only
one disorder Primary metabolic
Step 5: Calculate the anion gap
AG = Na Cl HCO3 (normal 12 2)
AG corrected = AG + 2.5[4 albumin]
If there is an anion Gap then calculate the
Delta/delta gap (step 6). Only need to calculate
delta gap (excess anion gap) when there is an anion
gap to determine additional hidden metabolic
disorders (nongap metabolic acidosis or metabolic
alkalosis)
If there is no anion gap then start analyzing for
non-anion acidosis
EXAMPLE
Calculate Anion gap
ABG 7.23/17/235 on 50% VM
BMP Na 123/ Cl 97/ HCO3 7/BUN 119/ Cr 5/
Albumin 4.

AG = Na Cl HCO3 (normal 12 2)
123 97 7 = 19
No need to correct for albumin as it is 4
Step 6: Calculate the different needed
formulas
Delta gap = (actual AG 12) + HCO3
Adjusted HCO3 should be 24 (+_ 6) {18-30}
If delta gap > 30 -> additional metabolic alkalosis
If delta gap < 18 -> additional non-gap metabolic
acidosis
If delta gap 18 30 -> no additional metabolic
disorders
EXAMPLE : Delta Gap
ABG 7.23/17/235 on 50% VM
BMP Na 123/ Cl 97/ HCO3 7/BUN 119/ Cr 5/
Albumin 4.

Delta gap = (actual AG 12) + HCO3

(19-12) +7 = 14
Delta gap < 18 -> additional non-gap
metabolic acidosis
So Metabolic acidosis anion and non
anion gap
Metobolic acidosis: Anion gap acidosis
EXAMPLE: WHY ANION GAP?
65yo M with CKD presenting with nausea, diarrhea
and acute respiratory distress
ABG :ABG 7.23/17/235 on 50% VM
BMP Na 123/ Cl 97/ HCO3 7/BUN 119/ Cr
5.1
So for our patient for anion gap portion its due
to BUN of 119 UREMIA
But would still check lactic acid
 Nongap metabolic acidosis
For non-gap metabolic acidosis, calculate the urine anion gap
UAG = UNA + UK UCL
If UAG>0: renal problem
If UAG<0: nonrenal problem (most commonly GI)

Causes of nongap metabolic acidosis - DURHAM

Diarrhea, ileostomy, colostomy, enteric fistulas

Ureteral diversions or pancreatic fistulas
RTA type I or IV, early renal failure
Hyperailmentation, hydrochloric acid administration
Acetazolamide, Addisons
Miscellaneous post-hypocapnia, toulene, sevelamer, cholestyramine ingestion
EXAMPLE : NON ANION GAP ACIDOSIS
65yo M with CKD presenting with nausea, diarrhea
and acute respiratory distress
ABG :ABG 7.23/17/235 on 50% VM
BMP Na 123/ Cl 97/ HCO3 7/BUN 119/ Cr
5.1

Most likely due to the diarrhea

Metabolic alkalosis
Calculate the urinary chloride to differentiate saline
responsive vs saline resistant
Must be off diuretics in order to interpret urine chloride

Saline responsive Saline-resistant UCL >10

UCL<10
Vomiting If hypertensive: Cushings, Conns, RAS,
renal failure with alkali administartion
NG suction If not hypertensive: severe hypokalemia,
hypomagnesemia, Bartters, Gittelmans,
licorice ingestion
Over-diuresis Exogenous corticosteroid administration
Post-hypercapnia
Respiratory Alkalosis
Causes of Respiratory Alkalosis

Anxiety, pain, fever

Hypoxia, CHF
Lung disease with or without hypoxia pulmonary embolus, reactive
airway, pneumonia
CNS diseases
Drug use salicylates, catecholamines, progesterone
Pregnancy
Sepsis, hypotension
Hepatic encephalopathy, liver failure
Mechanical ventilation
Hypothyroidism
High altitude
Respiratory Acidosis

Causes of respiratory acidosis

CNS depression sedatives, narcotics, CVA
Neuromuscular disorders acute or chronic
Acute airway obstruction foreign body, tumor, reactive airway
Severe pneumonia, pulmonary edema, pleural effusion
Chest cavity problems hemothorax, pneumothorax, flail chest
Chronic lung disease obstructive or restrictive
Central hypoventilation, OSA
Steps for ABG analysis
1. What is the pH? Acidemic or Alkalemic?
2. What is the primary disorder present?
3. Is there appropriate compensation?
4. Is the compensation acute or chronic?
5. Is there an anion gap?
6. If there is a AG, what is the delta gap?
7. What is the differential for the clinical processes?