Acid-base disorders: Difference between revisions

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==Background==
==Background==
*Determiners of acid-base status are:
Determiners of acid-base status are:
**CO2
*'''CO2'''
**Weak acids (primarily albumin)
*'''Weak acids (primarily albumin)'''
***If albumin goes up more acidotic (since albumin is an acid)
**If albumin goes up more acidotic (since albumin is an acid)
**Strong ion difference (SID)
*'''Strong ions'''
***Primarily Na-Cl
**Primarily Na-Cl
****Normal difference is ~38 (140-102)
**Normal difference is ~38 (140-102)
*****If difference shrinks (i.e. more Cl) more acidotic
**If difference shrinks (i.e. more Cl) more acidotic
******Principle of electrical neutrality requires more H+ to offset the additional Cl
**Principle of electrical neutrality requires more H+ to offset the additional Cl
*****If difference increases (i.e. more Na) more alkaloatic
**If difference increases (i.e. more Na) more alkalotic
******Principle of electrical neutrality requires more bicarb to offset the additional Na
**Principle of electrical neutrality requires more bicarb to offset the additional Na
*Strong ion gap (SIG)
===Strong ion gap (SIG)===
**Equivalent to anion gap
*Equivalent to anion gap
**Strong ions include Na, Cl, lactate, ketoacid, toxic alcohols
*Strong ions include Na, Cl, lactate, ketoacid, toxic alcohols
*Base Deficit
**Gets rid of respiratory component of acidosis so only left with the metabolic component
**How much base (or acid) you would have to add to get to pH 7.4
**Base excess of -6 = base deficit of 6
**Normal = -2 to +2
**If base deficit is normal but pt is acidotic must all be from CO2
**If base deficit is abnormal must explain by SID, weak acids, or unmeasured strong ions
**If no BD is available 24.2 – serum bicarb can be used as okay substitute


==Clinical Features==
===Base Deficit (BD)===
*Eliminates the respiratory component of acidosis so only left with the metabolic component
*Is equivalent to the amount of base (or acid) you would have to add to get to pH 7.4
*Base excess of -6 = base deficit of 6
*Normal = -2 to +2
*If base deficit is normal but patient is acidotic must all be from CO2
*If base deficit is abnormal must explain by SID, weak acids, or unmeasured strong ions
*If no BD is available 24.2 – serum bicarb can be used as okay substitute


==Differential Diagnosis==
==Differential Diagnosis==
*[[Metabolic Acidosis]]
{{Acid-base disorders DDX}}
*[[Metabolic Alkalosis]]
*[[Respiratory Acidosis]]
*[[Respiratory Alkalosis]]


==Diagnosis==
==Evaluation==
*Get labs  (as coincident as possible)
Diagnosis is based on clinical history as well as labs:
**VBG/ABG
*VBG/ABG
**Lactate
*Lactate
**Albumin
*Albumin
**Acetone
*Acetone
**Chemistry
*Chemistry
*Look at pH
*Serum Osmolarity
**If pH >7.45 pt's primary problem is alkalosis
 
**If pH <7.35 pt's primary problem is acidosis
==Stuart Step Wise Approach==
**Rmb that the body never over-corrects any acid-base disorder!
*''Based on a stepwise approach taught about by Dr. Weingart based on the Stewart's Strong Ion Difference<ref>http://emcrit.org/wp-content/uploads/acid_base_sheet_2-2011.pdf</ref><ref>Stewart Acid base http://www.acid-base.com/strongion.php</ref>
*Look at blood gas CO2
===Determine pH===
**If >45 then respiratory acidosis
*If pH >7.45 then patient's primary problem is alkalosis
**If <35 respiratory acidosis
*If pH <7.35 the patient's primary problem is acidosis
*Calculate the strong ion difference (SID)
*The body never over-corrects any acid-base disorder!
**SID = Na - Cl
===Evaluate blood gas===
***Low SID if <38
*If pCO2 >45 then respiratory acidosis
****Strong ion acidosis = hyperchloremic acidosis = non-gap acidosis
*If pCO2 <35 respiratory alkalosis
****Causes include:
 
*****Fluid administration
===Calculate Strong Ion Difference (SID)===
******Any fluid that has SID of <24 can cause acidosis (e.g. NS, 1/2NS, D5W)
''SID = Na - Cl''
*****Renal Tubular Acidosis
*'''Low SID is <38 and indicates a strong ion acidosis = hyperchloremic acidosis = non-gap acidosis and causes include'''
******Calculate Urine Anion Gap: (Urine Na + K – Cl); if negative, not RTA
**Fluid administration
*******Type I: Urine pH <5.55
***Any fluid that has SID of <24 can cause acidosis (e.g. NS, 1/2NS, D5W)
*******Type II: Urine pH >5.55
**Renal Tubular Acidosis
*******Type IV: Hyperkalemic; from aldosterone deficiency, diabetes
***Calculate Urine Anion Gap: (Urine Na + K – Cl); if negative, not RTA
*****Diarrhea
**#Type I: Urine pH <5.55
***High SID if >38
**#Type II: Urine pH >5.55
****This is metabolic alkalosis  
**#Type IV: Hyperkalemic; from aldosterone deficiency, diabetes
****Causes include:
**[[Diarrhea]]
*****Nasogastric suction
*'''High SID is >38 and indicates a metabolic alkalosis and causes include:'''
*****Diuretics
**Nasogastric suction
*****Hyperaldosteronism
**Diuretics
*****Volume depletion
**Hyperaldosteronism
*Look at the lactate
**Volume depletion
**If >2 then pt has hyperlactatemia
 
**If >4 and pt has infection start Early Goal Directed Therapy ([[Sepsis]])
===Evaluate the Lactate===
**If pt not infected consider other diagnoses: [[Lactic Acidosis (Lactate)]]
*If >2 then the patient has hyperlactatemia
*If >4 and the patient has an infection they should be considered  [[Sepsis|Severe Sepsis]]
*Always consider the differential for a [[Lactic Acidosis (Lactate)]]
*Calculate the strong ion gap (SIG) to explain the base deficit
*Calculate the strong ion gap (SIG) to explain the base deficit
**SIG = (Base Deficit) + (SID – 38) + 2.5 (4.2 ‐ Albumin (g/dL)) – lactate
*'''SIG = (Base Deficit) + (SID – 38) + 2.5 (4.2 ‐ Albumin (g/dL)) – lactate'''
***If SIG >2 this is a SIG metabolic acidosis = anion gap acidosis
*If SIG >2 this is a SIG metabolic acidosis = anion gap acidosis and the causes include:
****Causes:
**Uremia
*****Uremia
**[[DKA]]
*****[[DKA]]
**[[Alcohol ketoacidosis|AKA]]
*****[[Alcohol ketoacidosis|AKA]]
**[[ASA]]
*****[[ASA]]
**[[Ethylene Glycol Toxicity|Ethylene Glycol]], methanol, propylene glycol
*****[[Ethylene Glycol Toxicity|Ethylene Glycol]], methanol, propylene glycol
**[[Iron Toxicity]]
*****[[Iron Toxicity]]
**INH
*****INH
**Paraldehyde
*****Paraldehyde
**[[Lactic Acidosis]] (from short gut/blind loop - will not show on lactate assay)
*****[[Lactic Acidosis]] (from short gut/blind loop - will not show on lactate assay)
*If SIG is negative (very rare) the differential includes:
***If SIG negative (very rare):
**[[Hypercalcemia]]
****[[Hypercalcemia]]
**[[Hypermagnesemia]]
****[[Hypermagnesemia]]
**[[Hyperkalemia]]
****[[Hyperkalemia]]
**Immunoglobulins
****Immunoglobulins
**Bromide
****Bromide
**Nitrates
****Nitrates
**[[Lithium]]
****[[Lithium]]
===Calculate the osmolar gap===
*Think about compensations
*Indicated if have elevated SIG without explanation
**If primary is respiratory calculate the expected metabolic compensation
*Osm Gap = Measured Osmal – (2 Na + Gluc/18 + BUN/2.8 + ETOH/3.7)
***Expected ΔBE (or expected decrease of SID) = 0.4 x (Chronic change in CO2)
*Positive if osm gap >10 and differential includes:
**If primary is metabolic acidosis calculate the expected respiratory compensation:
**Toxic alcohols (if Osm gap >50)
***Expected ↓CO2 = Base Deficit
**[[Methanol]]
**If primary is metabolic alkalosis calculate the expected respiratory compensation:
**[[Ethylene glycol]]
***Expected ↑ CO2 = 0.6 x Base Excess
**Mannitol
**Winter's Formula useful for figuring out PaCO2 in COPD pt:
**Isopropanol (isopropyl alcohol)
***0.8 decrease in pH for every 10 mmHg increase in PaCO2 acutely
**Propylene glycol
*Calculate the osmolar gap
**[[Lithium]]
**Indicated if have elevated SIG without explanation
 
***Osm Gap = Measured Osmal – (2 Na + Gluc/18 + BUN/2.8 + ETOH/3.7)
==Traditional step-wise approach==
****Positive if osm gap >10 (if Osm gap >50 almost certainly toxic alcohol induced)
===Determine pH===
*****Causes:
*If pH < 7.35, then acidemia
******[[Methanol]]
*If pH > 7.45, then alkalemia
******[[Ethylene glycol]]
*If pH within normal range, then acid base disorder not likely present.
******Mannitol
*pH may be normal in the presence of a mixed acid base disorder,  particularly if other parameters of the ABG are abnormal.
******Isopropanol (isopropyl alcohol)
===Determine the Primary Diagnosis===
******Propylene glycol
*Acidemia
******[[Lithium]]
**↓HCO3 -Metabolic Acidosis
**↑PaCO2-Respiratory Acidosis
*Alkalemia
**↑HCO3-Metabolic Alkalosis
**↓PaCO2 - Respiratory Alkalosis
===Calculate the [[Anion gap]]===
Anion gap = [Na+]– [HCO3-] – [Cl-]
===Calculate the delta gap===
*∆gap = anion gap - 12
*This is to determine a coexistent metabolic alkalosis or non-gap acidosis
 
{| {{table}}
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Delta Ratio'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Assessment Guideline'''
|-
|< 0.4
|Hyperchloraemic normal anion gap acidosis
|-
|0.4 - 0.8
|Consider combined high AG & normal AG acidosis BUT note that the ratio is often <1 in acidosis associated with renal failure
|-
|1 to 2
|
*Usual for uncomplicated high-AG acidosis.
*Lactic acidosis: average value 1.6
*DKA more likely to have a ratio closer to 1 due to urine ketone loss (esp if patient not dehydrated)
|-
| > 2
|
Suggests a pre-existing elevated HCO3 level so consider:
*a concurrent metabolic alkalosis
*a pre-existing compensated respiratory acidosis
|}
 
===Calculate the starting bicarbonate===
*∆gap + (HCO3) = “starting bicarbonate”
*The purpose of this calculation is to assess the body’s ability to change HCO3 in response to a metabolic acid. In cases with a pure anion gap metabolic acidosis, the rise in anion gap from 12 should equal the fall in HCO3 from from 24
===Calculate compensations===
*Will allow for identification of a secondary process
 
==Determinants of compensation==
'''Metabolic acidosis:'''
*PaCO2 = 1.5 (HCO3) + 8 ± 2
*PaCO2 = last two digits of pH
*PaCO2= ↓ 1.0–1.5per ↓ 1mEq/L HCO3
'''Metabolic alkalosis'''
*PaCO2 = 0.9 (HCO3) + 9
*PaCO2= ↑ 0.5–1.0 mm per ↑ 1mEq/L HCO3
'''Respiratory acidosis and alkalosis (acute acid-base changes based on PCO2 and HCO3):'''
*∆H+=0.8 (∆PaCO2)
*For every ↑ or ↓ of PCO2 by 1 the pH changes by 0.008
*For every ↑ or ↓ of HCO3 by 1 the  pH changes by 0.015
'''Estimate of baseline PCO2 in patients with Acute Respiratory Acidosis:'''
*Estimated baseline PCO2 = 2.4 (admission measured HCO3 – 22)
'''Chronic respiratory acidosis'''<ref>Brandis K. Anesthesia MCQ. Rules for Metabolic Acid-Base Disorders. http://www.anaesthesiamcq.com/AcidBaseBook/ab9_3.php</ref>
*HCO3 increases by 4 for every 10 mmHg ↑ in pCO2 above 40
*∆H+=0.4 (∆PaCO2)
*In chronic respiratory acidosis, kidneys retain HCO3, which takes a few days
'''Chronic respiratory alkalosis'''
*HCO3 decreases by 5 for every 10 mmHg decrease in pCO2 below 40
*∆H+=0.5 (∆PaCO2)
*Takes few days also
*Maximal compensation is HCO3 ~12-15 mEq/L


==Management==
==Management==
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*Normal SID (Na-Cl) is 38
*Normal SID (Na-Cl) is 38
**Fluid that has SID of 38 would be basic b/c it would dilute out the albumin (weak acid)  
**Fluid that has SID of 38 would be basic b/c it would dilute out the albumin (weak acid)  
**Fluid that has SID identical to pt's serum bicarb is pH neutral
**Fluid that has SID identical to patient's serum bicarb is pH neutral
***If SID of fluid is greater than pt's bicarb level then it is alkalotic  
***If SID of fluid is greater than patient's bicarb level then it is alkalotic  
***If SID of fluid is less than pt's bicarb level then it is acidotic  
***If SID of fluid is less than patient's bicarb level then it is acidotic  


====Examples====
====Examples====
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**SID is 892 (very alkalotic) is 8.4%
**SID is 892 (very alkalotic) is 8.4%


^Consider balanced solution (LR) in pts w/ low pH (e.g. [[DKA]])
^Consider balanced solution (LR) in patients with low pH (e.g. [[DKA]])


==See Also==
==See Also==
Line 135: Line 195:


==References==
==References==
 
<references/>
[[Category:FEN]]
[[Category:FEN]]
[[Category:Renal]]
[[Category:Critical Care]]

Revision as of 11:56, 24 September 2016

Background

Determiners of acid-base status are:

  • CO2
  • Weak acids (primarily albumin)
    • If albumin goes up more acidotic (since albumin is an acid)
  • Strong ions
    • Primarily Na-Cl
    • Normal difference is ~38 (140-102)
    • If difference shrinks (i.e. more Cl) more acidotic
    • Principle of electrical neutrality requires more H+ to offset the additional Cl
    • If difference increases (i.e. more Na) more alkalotic
    • Principle of electrical neutrality requires more bicarb to offset the additional Na

Strong ion gap (SIG)

  • Equivalent to anion gap
  • Strong ions include Na, Cl, lactate, ketoacid, toxic alcohols

Base Deficit (BD)

  • Eliminates the respiratory component of acidosis so only left with the metabolic component
  • Is equivalent to the amount of base (or acid) you would have to add to get to pH 7.4
  • Base excess of -6 = base deficit of 6
  • Normal = -2 to +2
  • If base deficit is normal but patient is acidotic must all be from CO2
  • If base deficit is abnormal must explain by SID, weak acids, or unmeasured strong ions
  • If no BD is available 24.2 – serum bicarb can be used as okay substitute

Differential Diagnosis

Acid-base disorders

Evaluation

Diagnosis is based on clinical history as well as labs:

  • VBG/ABG
  • Lactate
  • Albumin
  • Acetone
  • Chemistry
  • Serum Osmolarity

Stuart Step Wise Approach

  • Based on a stepwise approach taught about by Dr. Weingart based on the Stewart's Strong Ion Difference[1][2]

Determine pH

  • If pH >7.45 then patient's primary problem is alkalosis
  • If pH <7.35 the patient's primary problem is acidosis
  • The body never over-corrects any acid-base disorder!

Evaluate blood gas

  • If pCO2 >45 then respiratory acidosis
  • If pCO2 <35 respiratory alkalosis

Calculate Strong Ion Difference (SID)

SID = Na - Cl

  • Low SID is <38 and indicates a strong ion acidosis = hyperchloremic acidosis = non-gap acidosis and causes include
    • Fluid administration
      • Any fluid that has SID of <24 can cause acidosis (e.g. NS, 1/2NS, D5W)
    • Renal Tubular Acidosis
      • Calculate Urine Anion Gap: (Urine Na + K – Cl); if negative, not RTA
      1. Type I: Urine pH <5.55
      2. Type II: Urine pH >5.55
      3. Type IV: Hyperkalemic; from aldosterone deficiency, diabetes
    • Diarrhea
  • High SID is >38 and indicates a metabolic alkalosis and causes include:
    • Nasogastric suction
    • Diuretics
    • Hyperaldosteronism
    • Volume depletion

Evaluate the Lactate

  • If >2 then the patient has hyperlactatemia
  • If >4 and the patient has an infection they should be considered Severe Sepsis
  • Always consider the differential for a Lactic Acidosis (Lactate)
  • Calculate the strong ion gap (SIG) to explain the base deficit
  • SIG = (Base Deficit) + (SID – 38) + 2.5 (4.2 ‐ Albumin (g/dL)) – lactate
  • If SIG >2 this is a SIG metabolic acidosis = anion gap acidosis and the causes include:
  • If SIG is negative (very rare) the differential includes:

Calculate the osmolar gap

  • Indicated if have elevated SIG without explanation
  • Osm Gap = Measured Osmal – (2 Na + Gluc/18 + BUN/2.8 + ETOH/3.7)
  • Positive if osm gap >10 and differential includes:

Traditional step-wise approach

Determine pH

  • If pH < 7.35, then acidemia
  • If pH > 7.45, then alkalemia
  • If pH within normal range, then acid base disorder not likely present.
  • pH may be normal in the presence of a mixed acid base disorder, particularly if other parameters of the ABG are abnormal.

Determine the Primary Diagnosis

  • Acidemia
    • ↓HCO3 -Metabolic Acidosis
    • ↑PaCO2-Respiratory Acidosis
  • Alkalemia
    • ↑HCO3-Metabolic Alkalosis
    • ↓PaCO2 - Respiratory Alkalosis

Calculate the Anion gap

Anion gap = [Na+]– [HCO3-] – [Cl-]

Calculate the delta gap

  • ∆gap = anion gap - 12
  • This is to determine a coexistent metabolic alkalosis or non-gap acidosis
Delta Ratio Assessment Guideline
< 0.4 Hyperchloraemic normal anion gap acidosis
0.4 - 0.8 Consider combined high AG & normal AG acidosis BUT note that the ratio is often <1 in acidosis associated with renal failure
1 to 2
  • Usual for uncomplicated high-AG acidosis.
  • Lactic acidosis: average value 1.6
  • DKA more likely to have a ratio closer to 1 due to urine ketone loss (esp if patient not dehydrated)
> 2

Suggests a pre-existing elevated HCO3 level so consider:

  • a concurrent metabolic alkalosis
  • a pre-existing compensated respiratory acidosis

Calculate the starting bicarbonate

  • ∆gap + (HCO3) = “starting bicarbonate”
  • The purpose of this calculation is to assess the body’s ability to change HCO3 in response to a metabolic acid. In cases with a pure anion gap metabolic acidosis, the rise in anion gap from 12 should equal the fall in HCO3 from from 24

Calculate compensations

  • Will allow for identification of a secondary process

Determinants of compensation

Metabolic acidosis:

  • PaCO2 = 1.5 (HCO3) + 8 ± 2
  • PaCO2 = last two digits of pH
  • PaCO2= ↓ 1.0–1.5per ↓ 1mEq/L HCO3

Metabolic alkalosis

  • PaCO2 = 0.9 (HCO3) + 9
  • PaCO2= ↑ 0.5–1.0 mm per ↑ 1mEq/L HCO3

Respiratory acidosis and alkalosis (acute acid-base changes based on PCO2 and HCO3):

  • ∆H+=0.8 (∆PaCO2)
  • For every ↑ or ↓ of PCO2 by 1 the pH changes by 0.008
  • For every ↑ or ↓ of HCO3 by 1 the pH changes by 0.015

Estimate of baseline PCO2 in patients with Acute Respiratory Acidosis:

  • Estimated baseline PCO2 = 2.4 (admission measured HCO3 – 22)

Chronic respiratory acidosis[3]

  • HCO3 increases by 4 for every 10 mmHg ↑ in pCO2 above 40
  • ∆H+=0.4 (∆PaCO2)
  • In chronic respiratory acidosis, kidneys retain HCO3, which takes a few days

Chronic respiratory alkalosis

  • HCO3 decreases by 5 for every 10 mmHg decrease in pCO2 below 40
  • ∆H+=0.5 (∆PaCO2)
  • Takes few days also
  • Maximal compensation is HCO3 ~12-15 mEq/L

Management

IV Fluids

  • Normal SID (Na-Cl) is 38
    • Fluid that has SID of 38 would be basic b/c it would dilute out the albumin (weak acid)
    • Fluid that has SID identical to patient's serum bicarb is pH neutral
      • If SID of fluid is greater than patient's bicarb level then it is alkalotic
      • If SID of fluid is less than patient's bicarb level then it is acidotic

Examples

  • NS or 1/2NS
    • (SID = 0) so is acidotic so causes hyperchloremic acidosis
  • LR
    • SID of 24-28
  • D5W
    • SID of 0
  • NaBicarb
    • SID is 892 (very alkalotic) is 8.4%

^Consider balanced solution (LR) in patients with low pH (e.g. DKA)

See Also

References