DISCUSSION HEADINGS
•BASICS
•NORMAL PHYSIOLOGY
•ABNORMALITIES
•METABOLIC ACID BASE DISORDERS
•RESPIRATORY ACID BASE DISORDERS
•ALTERNATIVE CONCEPTS
•Acid
Any compound which forms H⁺ ions in
solution (proton donors)
eg: Carbonic acid releases H⁺ ions
•Base
Any compound which combines with
H⁺ ions in solution (proton acceptors)
eg:Bicarbonate(HCO3⁻) accepts H+ ions
Acid–Base Balance
Normal pH : 7.35-7.45
Acidosis
Physiological state resulting from abnormally low plasma pH
Alkalosis
Physiological state resulting from abnormally high plasma pH
Acidemia:plasma pH < 7.35
Alkalemia: plasma pH > 7.45
Henderson-Hasselbach equation (clinically
relevant form)
•pH = pK
a+ log([HCO
3
-
]/.03xpCO
2)
•pH = 6.1+ log([HCO
3
-
]/.03xpCO
2)
•Shows that pH is a function of the RATIO
between bicarbonate and pCO
2
•
PCO₂ -ventilatoryparameter (40 +/-4)
•
HCO₃⁻ -metabolic parameter (22-26 mmol/L)
ACIDS
•VOLATILE ACIDS:
Produced by oxidative metabolism of CHO,Fat,Protein
Average 15000-20000 mmolof CO₂ per day
Excreted through LUNGSas CO₂ gas
•FIXED ACIDS (1 mEq/kg/day)
Acids that do not leave solution ,once produced they
remain in body fluids Until eliminated by KIDNEYS
Eg: Sulfuric acid ,phosphoric acid , Organic acids
Are most important fixed acids in the body
Are generated during catabolism of:
amino acids(oxidation of sulfhydryl gpsof cystine,methionine)
Phospholipids(hydrolysis)
nucleic acids
Response to ACID BASE challenge
1.Buffering
2.Compensation
Buffers
First line of defence(> 50 –100 mEq/day)
Two most common chemical buffer groups
–Bicarbonate
–Non bicarbonate (Hb,protein,phosphate)
Blood buffer systems act instantaneously
Regulate pH by binding or releasing H⁺
Carbonic Acid–Bicarbonate Buffer System
Carbon Dioxide
Most body cells constantly generate carbon dioxide
Most carbon dioxide is converted to carbonic acid, which dissociates
into H
+
and a bicarbonate ion
Prevents changes in pH caused by organic acids and fixed
acids in ECF
Cannot protect ECF from changes in pH that result
from elevated or depressed levels of CO
2
Functions only when respiratory system and
respiratory control centers are working normally
Ability to buffer acids is limited by availability of
bicarbonate ions
Acid–Base Balance
The Carbonic Acid–Bicarbonate Buffer System
The Hemoglobin Buffer System
CO
2diffuses across RBC membrane
No transport mechanism required
As carbonic acid dissociates
Bicarbonate ions diffuse into plasma
In exchange for chloride ions (chloride shift)
•Hydrogen ions are buffered by hemoglobin molecules
Is the only intracellular buffer system with an
immediate effect on ECF pH
Helps prevent major changes in pH when plasma P
CO
2
is rising or falling
Phosphate Buffer System
Consists of anion H
2PO
4
-
(a weak acid)(pKa-6.8)
Works like the carbonic acid–bicarbonate buffer
system
Is important in buffering pH of ICF
Limitations of Buffer Systems
Provide only temporary solution to acid–
base imbalance
Do not eliminate H
+
ions
Supply of buffer molecules is limited
Respiratory Acid-Base Control
Mechanisms
•When chemical buffers alone cannot prevent
changes in blood pH, the respiratory system
is the second lineof defenceagainst changes.
Eliminate or Retain CO₂
Change in pH are RAPID
Occuringwithin minutes
PCO₂ ∞ VCO₂/VA
Renal Acid-Base Control Mechanisms
•The kidneys are the third line of defence
against wide changes in body fluid pH.
–movement of bicarbonate
–Retention/Excretion of acids
–Generating additional buffers
Long term regulator of ACID –BASE balance
May take hours to days for correction
Renal regulation of acid base balance
•Role of kidneys is preservation of body’s
bicarbonatestores.
•Accomplished by:
–Reabsorption of 99.9% of filtered bicarbonate
–Regeneration of titrated bicarbonate by excretion
of:
•Titratableacidity (mainly phosphate)
•Ammonium salts
Renal reabsorption of bicarbonate
•Proximal tubule:
70-90%
•Loop of Henle:
10-20%
•Distal tubule and
collecting ducts:
4-7%
•If secreted H
+
ions combine with filtered
bicarbonate, bicarbonate is reabsorbed
•If secreted H
+
ions combine with
phosphate or ammonia, net acid excretion
and generation of newbicarbonate occur
NET ACID EXCRETION
•Hydrogen Ions
Are secreted into tubular fluid along
•Proximal convoluted tubule (PCT)
•Distal convoluted tubule (DCT)
•Collecting system
Titratableacidity
•Occurs when secreted
H
+
encounter & titrate
phosphate in tubular
fluid
•Refers to amount of
strong base needed to
titrate urine back to pH
7.4
•40% (15-30 mEq) of
daily fixed acid load
•Relatively constant (not
highly adaptable)
Ammonium excretion
•Occurs when
secreted H
+
combine
with NH
3and are
trapped as NH
4
+
salts
in tubular fluid
•60% (25-50 mEq) of
daily fixed acid load
•Very adaptable (via
glutaminase
induction)
Ammonium excretion
•Large amounts
of H
+
can be
excreted
without
extremely low
urine pH
because pK
aof
NH
3/NH
4
+
system is very
high (9.2)
Acid–Base Balance Disturbances
Interactions among the Carbonic Acid–Bicarbonate Buffer System and
Compensatory Mechanisms in the Regulation of Plasma pH.
Acid–Base Balance Disturbances
Interactions among the Carbonic Acid–Bicarbonate Buffer System and
Compensatory Mechanisms in the Regulation of Plasma pH.
decreased
Four Basic Types of Imbalance
•Metabolic Acidosis
•Metabolic Alkalosis
•Respiratory Acidosis
•Respiratory Alkalosis
Metabolic Acidosis
•Primary AB disorder
•↓HCO₃⁻ → ↓pH
•Gain of strong acid
•Loss of base(HCO₃⁻)
ANION GAP CONCEPT
•To know if Metabolic Acidosis due to
Loss of bicarbonate
Accumulation of non-volatile acids
•Provides an index of the relative concof plasma anions
other than chloride,bicarbonate
•*serum Na⁺ -(serum Cl⁻ + serum HCO₃⁻)+
•Unmeasured anions –unmeasured cations
•8 –16 mEq/L (5 –11,with newer techniques)
•Mostly represent ALBUMIN
Normal anion gap(Hyperchloremic)
MET.ACIDOSIS causes
Gastrointestinal
bicarbonate loss
A. Diarrhea
B. External pancreatic or small-bowel
drainage
C. Ureterosigmoidostomy, jejunal
loop, ilealloop
D. Drugs
1. Calcium chloride (acidifying agent)
2. Magnesium sulfate(diarrhea)
3. Cholestyramine(bile acid diarrhea)
Renal acidosis
A. Hypokalemia
1. Proximal RTA (type 2)
2. Distal (classic) RTA (type 1)
B. Hyperkalemia
Drug-induced
hyperkalemia(with renal
insufficiency)
A. Potassium-sparing diuretics (amiloride,
triamterene, spironolactone)
B. Trimethoprim
C. Pentamidine
D. ACE-Is and ARBs
E. Nonsteroidalanti-inflammatory drugs
F. Cyclosporine and tacrolimus
Other
A. Acid loads (ammonium chloride,
hyperalimentation)
B. Loss of potential bicarbonate: ketosis
with ketone excretion
C. Expansion acidosis (rapid saline
administration)
URINE NET CHARGE/UAG
Distinguish between hyperchloremicacidosis due to
DIARRHEA
RTA
UNC= Na⁺+ K⁺-Cl⁻
•Provides an estimate of urinary NH₄⁺ production
•Normal UAG = -25 to -50
Negative UAG –DIARRHEA(hyperchloremicacidosis)
Positive UAG –RTA
“DELTA RATIO” / “GAP-GAP”
•Ratio between ↑in AG and ↓in bicarbonate
•(Measured AG –12):(24 –measured HCO₃⁻)
•To detect another metabolic ACID BASE disorder
along with HAGMA (nagma/met.alkalosis)
•HAGMA(NORMOCHLOREMIC ACIDOSIS) :-RATIO = 1
HYPERCHLOREMIC ACIDOSIS (NAGMA):-RATIO < 1
In DKA pts,aftertherapy with NS
•Met.acidosiswith Met.alkalosis:-RATIO > 1
Use of NG suction and DIURETICS in met.acidosispt
FIG
Compensation for Metabolic acidosis
•H
+
buffered by ECF HCO
3
-
&Hbin RBC; Plasma Prand Pi:
negligible role (sec-min)
•Hyperventilation –to reduce PCO₂
•↓pH sensed by central and peripheral chemoreceptors
•↑ in ventilation starts within minutes,welladvanced at 2
hours
•Maximal compensation takes 12 –24 hours
•Expected PCO₂ calculated by
WINTERS’ FORMULA
EXP.PCO₂ =1.5 X (ACTUAL HCO₃⁻ )+8 +/-2 mmHg
Limiting value of compensation: PCO₂ = 8-10mmHg
Quick rule of thumb :PCO₂= last 2 digits of pH
Acid–Base Balance Disturbances
.
Responses to Metabolic Acidosis
Metabolic acidosis
Symptoms are specific and a result of the underlying
pathology
•Respiratory effects:
Hyperventilation
•CVS:
↓ myocardial contractility
Sympathetic over activity
Resistant to catecholamines
•CNS:
Lethargy,disorientation,stupor,muscletwitching,COMA,
CN palsies
•Others :hyperkalemia
Metabolic Alkalosis
↑ pH due to ↑HCO₃⁻ or ↓acid
•Initiation process :
↑in serum HCO₃⁻
Excessive secretion of net daily production of fixed
acids
•Maintenance:
↓HCO₃⁻ excretion or ↑ HCO₃⁻ reclamation
Chloride depletion
Pottasiumdepletion
ECF volume depletion
Magnesium depletion
CAUSES OF METABOLIC ALKALOSIS
I. Exogenous HCO3 − loads
A. Acute alkali administration
B. Milk-alkali syndrome
II. Gastrointestinal origin
1. Vomiting
2. Gastric aspiration
3. Congenital chloridorrhea
4. Villous adenoma
III. Renal origin
1. Diuretics
2. Posthypercapnicstate
3. Hypercalcemia/hypoparathyroidism
4. Recovery from lactic acidosis or ketoacidosis
5. Nonreabsorbableanions including penicillin, carbenicillin
6. Mg2+ deficiency
7. K+ depletion
Compensation for Metabolic Alkalosis
•Respiratory compensation: HYPOVENTILATION
↑PCO₂=0.6 mm pCO
2per 1.0 mEq/L ↑HCO
3
-
•Maximal compensation: PCO₂55 –60 mmHg
•Hypoventilation not always found due to
Hyperventilation
due to pain
due to pulmonary congestion
due to hypoxemia(PO₂< 50mmHg)
Compensation in Respiratory Acidosis
Acute resp.acidosis:
Mainly due to intracellular buffering(Hb,Pr,PO₄)
HCO₃⁻ ↑ = 1mmol for every 10 mmHg ↑ PCO₂
Minimal increase in HCO₃⁻
pH change = 0.008 x (40 -PaCO₂)
Chronic resp.acidosis
Renal compensation (acidification of urine &
bicarbonate retention) comes into action
HCO₃⁻ ↑= 3.5 mmolfor every 10 mm Hg ↑PCO₂
pH change = 0.003 x (40 -PaCO₂)
Maximal response : 3 -4 days
Post hypercapnicalkalosis
•In chronic resp.acidosis
•Renal compensation →↑HCO₃⁻
•If the ptintubated and mechanical ventilated
•PCO₂ rapidly corrected
•Plasma HCO₃⁻ doesn’t return to normal rapidly
•HCO₃⁻ remains high
Respiratory Alkalosis
•Most common AB abnormality in critically ill
•↓PCO₂ → ↑pH
•1⁰ process : hyperventilation
•Acute: PaCO₂ ↓,pH-alkalemic
•Chronic: PaCO₂↓,pH normal / near normal
CAUSES OF RESPIRATORY ALKALOSIS
A. Central nervous system
stimulation
1. Pain
2. Anxiety, psychosis
3. Fever
4. Cerebrovascular accident
5. Meningitis, encephalitis
6. Tumor
7. Trauma
B. Hypoxemia or tissue
hypoxia
1. High altitude
2. Septicemia
3. Hypotension
4. Severe anemia
C. Drugs or hormones
1. Pregnancy, progesterone
2. Salicylates
3. Cardiac failure
D. Stimulation of chest receptors
1. Hemothorax
2. Flail chest
3. Cardiac failure
4. Pulmonary embolism
E. Miscellaneous
1. Septicemia
2. Hepatic failure
3. Mechanical ventilation
4. Heat exposure
5. Recovery from metabolic
acidosis
Compensation for respiratory Alkalosis
Acute resp.alkalosis:
Intracellular buffering response-slight decrease in HCO₃⁻
Start within 10 mins,maximal response 6 hrs
Magnitude:2 mmol/L↓HCO₃⁻ for 10 mmHg↓PCO₂
LIMIT: 12-20 mmol/L (avg=18)
Chronic resp.alkalosis:
Renal compensation (acid retention,HCO₃⁻ loss)
Starts after 6 hours, maximal response 2-3 days
Magnitude : 5mmol/L ↓HCO₃⁻ for 10mmHg ↓PCO₂
LIMIT: 12-15 mmol/L HCO₃⁻
Acid Base Disorders
Primary disorderCompensatory response
Metabolic acidosis PCO₂=1.5 X (HCO₃⁻) + 8 +/₋ 2*Winter’s formula+
Metabolic alkalosis 0.6 mm pCO
2per 1.0 mEq/L HCO
3
-
Acute respiratory acidosis1 mEq/L HCO
3
-
per10 mm pCO
2
Chronic respiratory acidosis3.5 mEq/L HCO
3
-
per10 mm pCO
2
Acute respiratory alkalosis2 mEq/L HCO
3
-
per 10 mm pCO
2
Chronic respiratory alkalosis5 mEq/L HCO
3
-
per 10 mm pCO
2
STRONG ION APPROACH
•Metabolic parameter divided into 2 components
“STRONG” acids and bases
Electrolytes, lactate,acetoacetate,sulfate
“WEAK” buffer molecules
Serum proteins and phosphate
•pH calculated on the basis of 3 simple assumptions
Total concentrations of each of the ions and acid base pairs
is known and remains unchanged
Solution remains electroneutral
Dissociation constants of each of the buffers are known
•Both pH and bicarbonate are dependent variables that can
be calculated from the concentrations of “STRONG” and
“WEAK” electrolytes and PCO₂
STRONG ION DIFFERENCE (SID)
•STRONG CATIONS –STRONG ANIONS
•Decrease in SID → Acidification of PLASMA
•Explains –NS induced ACIDOSIS
•ADV: Estimate of H⁺ concmore accurate than
Henderson Hasselbalchequation.
•DISADV:Complexnature of equations,increased
parameters limit clinical application
BASE EXCESS/DEFICIT
•Base excess and base deficit are terms applied to an
analytical method for determination of the appropriateness
of responses to disorders of acid-base metabolism
•by measuring blood pH against ambient PCO2 and against a
PCO2 of 40 mmHg
•deficit is expressed as the number of mEqof bicarbonate
needed to restore the serum bicarbonate to 25 mEq/L at a
PCO₂of 40 mmHg compared with that at the ambient PCO₂
•misleading in chronic respiratory alkalosis or acidosis
•physiological evaluation of the patient be the mode of
analysis of acid-base disorders rather than an emphasis on
derived formulae
ACID BASE NORMOGRAM
MIXED ACID BASE DISORDER
Diagnosed by combination of clinical
assessment, application of expected compensatory
responses , assessment of the anion gap, and application
of principles of physiology.
Respiratory acidosis and alkalosis never coexist
Metabolic disorders can coexist
Eg: lactic acidosis/DKA with vomiting
Metabolic and respiratory AB disorders can coexist
Eg: salicylate poisoning (met.acidosis+ resp.alkalosis)
THANK YOU
LIFE IS A STRUGGLE,
NOT AGAINST SIN,
NOT AGAINST MONEY POWER..
BUT AGAINST HYDROGEN IONS .
H.L.MENCKEN