Blood Gas Analysis
and it’s Clinical
Interpretation
Manu Jacob
Perfusionist
Kmct Mch
Outline
1.Common Errors During ABG Sampling
2.Components of ABG
3.Discuss simple steps in analyzing ABGs
4.Calculate the anion gap
5.Calculate the delta gap
6.Differentials for specific acid-base disorders
Delayed Analysis
Consumptiom of O2 & Production of CO2
continues after blood drawn
Iced Sample maintains values for 1-2 hours
Uniced sample quickly becomes invalid within
15-20 minutes
PaCO2 3-10 mmHg/hour
PaO2 ¯
pH ¯ d/t lactic acidosis generated by
glycolysis in R.B.C.
Temp Effect On Change of ABG
Values
Parameter37 C (Change
every 10 min)
4 C (Change
every 10 min)
¯ pH
0.01 0.001
PCO2
1 mm Hg 0.1 mm Hg
¯ PO2
0.1 vol % 0.01 vol %
FEVER OR HYPOTHERMIA
1.Most ABG analyzers report data at N body temp
2.If severe hyper/hypothermia, values of pH &
PCO2 at 37 C can be significantly diff from pt’s
actual values
3.Changes in PO2 values with temp also predictable
Hansen JE, Clinics in Chest Med 10(2), 1989 227-237
If Pt.’s temp < 37C
Substract 5 mmHg Po2, 2 mmHg Pco2 and Add
0.012 pH per 1C decrease of temperature
AIR BUBBLES
:
1.PO2 ~150 mmHg & PCO2 ~0 mm Hg in air bubble(R.A.)
2.Mixing with sample, lead to PaO2 & ¯ PaCO2
To avoid air bubble, sample drawn very slowly and
preferabily in glass syringe
Steady State:
Sampling should done during steady state after change in
oxygen therepy or ventilator parameter
Steady state is achieved usually within 3-10 minutes
Leucocytosis :
¯ pH and Po2 ; and Pco2
0.1 ml of O2 consumed/dL of blood in 10
min in pts with N TLC
Marked increase in pts with very high
TLC/plt counts – hence imm chilling/analysis
essential
EXCESSIVE HEPARIN
Dilutional effect on results ¯ HCO
3
-
& PaCO2
Only .05 ml heperin required for 1 ml blood.
So syringe be emptied of heparin after flushing or only dead
space volume is sufficient or dry heperin should be used
TYPE OF SYRINGE
1.pH & PCO2 values unaffected
2.PO2 values drop more rapidly in plastic syringes (ONLY
if PO2 > 400 mm Hg)
Differences usually not of clinical significance so plastic
syringes can be and continue to be used
Risk of alteration of results with:
1. size of syringe/needle
2.¯ vol of sample
HYPERVENTILATION OR BREATH HOLDING
May lead to erroneous lab results
COMPONENTS OF THE ABG
pH: Measurement of acidity or alkalinity, based on the
hydrogen (H+). 7.35 – 7.45
Pao
2
:The partial pressure oxygen that is dissolved in arterial
blood. 80-100 mm Hg.
PCO
2
: The amount of carbon dioxide dissolved in arterial
blood. 35– 45 mmHg
HCO
3
:
The calculated value of the amount of bicarbonate in
the blood. 22 – 26 mmol/L
SaO
2:
The arterial oxygen saturation.
>95%
pH,PaO
2
,PaCO
2
, Lactate and electrolytes are measured
Variables
HCO
3
(Measured or calculated)
Contd…
Buffer Base:
It is total quantity of buffers in blood including
both volatile(Hco
3
) and nonvolatile (as
Hgb,albumin,Po
4
)
Base Excess/Base Deficit:
Amount of strong acid or base needed to restore
plasma pH to 7.40 at a PaCO2 of 40 mm Hg,at
37*C.
Calculated from pH, PaCO2 and HCT
Negative BE also referred to as Base Deficit
True reflection of non respiratory (metabolic) acid
base status
Normal value: -2 to +2mEq/L
CENTRAL EQUATION OF ACID-BASE PHYSIOLOGY
Henderson Hasselbach Equation:
where [ H
+
] is related to pH by
To maintain a constant pH, PCO2/HCO3
-
ratio should be
constant
When one component of the PCO2/[HCO3
-
]ratio is altered, the
compensatory response alters the other component in the
same direction to keep the PCO2/[HCO3
-
] ratio constant
[H
+
] in nEq/L = 24 x (PCO2 / [HCO3
-
] )
[ H
+
] in nEq/L = 10
(9-pH)
Compensatory response or regulation
of pH
By 3 mechanisms:
Chemical buffers:
React instantly to compensate for the addition or
subtraction of H+ ions
CO2 elimination:
Controlled by the respiratory system
Change in pH result in change in PCO2 within
minutes
HCO3
-
elimination:
Controlled by the kidneys
Change in pH result in change in HCO3-
It takes hours to days and full compensation occurs
in 2-5 days
Normal Values
Variable Normal Normal
Range(2SD)
pH 7.40 7.35 - 7.45
pCO2 40 35-45
Bicarbonate 24 22-26
Anion gap 12 10-14
Albumin 4 4
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?
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
present?
pH pCO2 HCO3
Respiratory AcidosispH low high high
Metabolic AcidosispH low low low
Respiratory AlkalosispH high low low
Metabolic AlkalosispH high high high
Contd….
Metabolic Conditions are suggested if
pH changes in the same direction as pCO2 or pH is
abnormal but pCO2 remains unchanged
Respiratory Conditions are suggested if:
pH changes in the opp direction as pCO2 or pH is
abnormal but HCO3- remains unchanged
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
Step 3-4: Is there appropriate
compensation? Is it chronic or acute?
Respiratory Acidosis
Acute (Uncompensated): for every 10 increase in pCO2 -> HCO3 increases by
1 and there is a decrease of 0.08 in pH
Chronic (Compensated): for every 10 increase in pCO2 -> HCO3 increases by
4 and there is a decrease of 0.03 in pH
Respiratory Alkalosis
Acute (Uncompensated): for every 10 decrease in pCO2 -> HCO3
decreases by 2 and there is a increase of 0.08 in PH
Chronic (Compensated): for every 10 decrease in pCO2 -> HCO3 decreases
by 5 and there is a increase of 0.03 in PH
Partial Compensated: Change
in pH will be between 0.03 to
0.08 for every 10 mmHg
change in PCO2
Step 3-4: Is there appropriate
compensation?
Metabolic Acidosis
Winter’s formula: Expected pCO2 = 1.5[HCO3] + 8 ± 2
OR
D pCO2 = 1.2 (D HCO3)
If serum pCO2 > expected pCO2 -> additional respiratory acidosis
and vice versa
Metabolic Alkalosis
Expected PCO2 = 0.7 × HCO3 + (21 ± 2)
OR
D pCO2 = 0.7 (D HCO3)
If serum pCO2 < expected pCO2 - additional respiratory
alkalosis and vice versa
EXAMPLE
ABG 7.23/17/235 on 50% VM
BMP Na 123/ Cl 97/ HCO3 7/BUN 119/ Cr
5.
Winter’s formula : 17= 1.5 (7) +8 ±2 = 18.5(16.5
– 20.5)
So correct compensation so there is only one
disorder Primary metabolic
Step 5: Calculate the anion gap
AG used to assess acid-base status esp in D/D of met
acidosis
D AG & D HCO
3
-
used to assess mixed acid-base disorders
AG based on principle of electroneutrality:
Total Serum Cations = Total Serum Anions
Na + (K + Ca + Mg) = HCO3 + Cl + (PO4 + SO4
+ Protein + Organic Acids)
Na + UC = HCO3 + Cl + UA
Na – (HCO3 + Cl) = UA – UC
Na – (HCO3 + Cl) = AG
Normal =12 ± 2
Contd…
AG corrected = AG + 2.5[4 – albumin]
If there is an anion Gap then calculate
the Delta/delta gap (step 6) to determine
additional hidden nongap metabolic
acidosis or metabolic alkalosis
If there is no anion gap then start
analyzing for non-anion gap 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
2.
AG = Na – Cl – HCO3 (normal 12 ± 2)
123 – 97 – 7 = 19
AG corrected = AG + 2.5[4 – albumin]
= 19 + 2.5 [4 – 2]
= 19 + 5 = 24
Step 6: Calculate Delta Gap
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
URINARY AG
Total Urine Cations = Total Urine Anions
Na + K + (NH4 and other UC) = Cl + UA
(Na + K) + UC = Cl + UA
(Na + K) – Cl = UA – UC
(Na + K) – Cl = AG
Distinguish GI from renal causes of loss of HCO3 by estimating
Urinary NH4+ .
Hence a -ve UAG (av -20 meq/L) seen in GI, while +ve value (av
+23 meq/L) seen in renal problem.
UAG = UNA + UK – UCL
Kaehny WD. Manual of Nephrology 2000; 48-62
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 14
AG = 123 – 97-14 = 12
Most likely due to the diarrhea
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, Addison’s
Miscellaneous – post-hypocapnia, toulene, sevelamer, cholestyramine ingestion
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 UCL<25 Saline-resistant UCL >25
Vomiting If hypertensive: Cushings, Conn’s, RAS, renal failure
with alkali administartion
NG suction If not hypertensive: severe hypokalemia,
hypomagnesemia, Bartter’s, Gittelman’s, 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
Case1.
7.27/58/60 on 5L, HCO
3
-
26, anion gap is
12, albumin is 4.0
1. pH= Acidemia (pH < 7.4)
2.CO
2
= Acid (CO2>40)
Opposite direction so Primary disturbance =
Respiratory Acidosis
3 &4: Compensation : Acute or chronic? ACUTE
CO
2
has increased by (58-40)=18
If chronic the pH will decrease 0.05 (0.003 x 18 = 0.054)
pH would be 7.35
If acute the pH will decrease 0.14 (0.008 x 18 = 0.144)
pH would be 7.26.
Contd.
5: Anion gap –N/A
6: There is an acute respiratory acidosis, is
there a metabolic problem too?
ΔHCO
3
-
= 1 mEq/L↑/10mmHg↑pCO
2
The pCO
2
is up by 18 so it is expected that the
HCO
3
-
will go up by 1.8. Expected HCO
3
-
is 25.8,
compared to the actual HCO
3
-
of 26, so there is no
additional metabolic disturbance.
Dx-ACUTE RESPIRATORY ACIDOSIS
Case.2
7.54/24/99 on room air, HCO
3
-
20, anion
gap is 12, albumin is 4.0.
1: pH= Alkalemia (pH > 7.4)
2.CO
2
= Base (CO2<40)
pH & pCO2 change in opposite Direction So
Primary disturbance = Respiratory Alkalosis
3 &4: Compensation ? acute or chronic? ACUTE
ΔCO
2
=40-24=16
If chronic the pH will increase 0.05 (0.003 x 16 = 0.048)
pH would be 7.45
If acute the pH will increase 0.13(0.008 x 16 = 0.128)
pH would be 7.53
Contd…
5:Anion gap – N/A
6: There is an acute respiratory alkalosis, is
there a metabolic problem too?
ΔHCO
3
-
= 2 mEq/L↓/10mmHg↓pCO
2
The pCO
2
is down by 16 so it is expected that the
HCO
3
-
will go down by 3.2. Expected HCO
3
-
is 20.8,
compared to the actual HCO
3
-
of 20, so there is no
additional metabolic disturbance.
Dx-ACUTE RESPIRATORY ALKALOSIS
Case-3
7.58/55/80 on room air, HCO
3
-
46, anion gap is
12, albumin is 4.0. Ucl -20
1: pH= Alkalemia(pH > 7.4)
2:CO
2
= Acid (CO2>40)
Same direction so Primary disturbance = Metabolic
Alkalosis
3&4: Compensation:
∆ pCO
2
=0.7 x ∆ HCO
3
-
The HCO
3
-
is up by 22.CO
2
will increase by 0.7x22 = 15.4.
Expected CO
2
is 55.4, compared to the actual CO
2
of 55,
therefore there is no additional respiratory disturbance.
contd
5: No anion gap is present; and no adjustment
needs to be made for albumin. Metabolic
Alkalosis
Urinary chloride is 20 meq/l (< 25 meq/l)so
chloride responsive, have to treat with Normal
saline.
Dx-METABOLIC ALKALOSIS
Case-4
7.46/20/80 on room air, HCO
3
-
16, anion
gap = 12, albumin = 4.0
1: pH = Alkalemia (pH > 7.4)
2:CO
2
= Base (CO2<40)
So Primary disturbance = Respiratory Alkalosis
3 &4: Compensation? acute or chronic? Chronic
ΔCO
2
=40-20= 20.
If chronic the pH will increase 0.06 (0.003 x 20 = 0.06)
pH would be 7.46.
If acute the pH will increase 0.16 (0.008 x 20 = 0.16)
pH would be 7.56.
Contd….
5: Anion gap – N/A
6: There is a chronic respiratory alkalosis, is
there a metabolic problem also?
Chronic: ΔHCO
3
-
= 4 mEq/L↓/10mmHg↓pCO
2
The pCO
2
is down by 20 so it is expected that the
HCO
3
-
will go down by 8. Expected HCO
3
-
is 16,
therefore there is no additional metabolic disorder.
Dx-CHRONIC RESPIRATORY ALKALOSIS
Case-5
7.19/35/60 on 7L, HCO
3
-
9, anion gap = 18,
albumin = 4.0
1: pH = Acidemia (pH < 7.4)
2:CO
2
= Base (CO2<40)
So Primary disturbance: Metabolic Acidosis
3&4: Compensation ?
∆ pCO
2
=1.2 x ∆ HCO
3
-
CO
2
will decrease by 1.2 (∆HCO
3
-
) 1.2 (24-9) 18. 40 – 18=
22 Actual CO
2
is higher than expected Respiratory
Acidosis
5: Anion Gap = 18 (alb normal so no correction
necessary)
Contd…..
6: Delta Gap:
Delta gap = (actual AG – 12) + HCO3
= (18-12) + 9
= 6 + 9 = 15 which is<18 Non-AG Met Acidosis
Dx-ANION GAP METABOLIC ACIDOSIS with NON-ANION GAP
METABOLIC ACIDOSIS with RESPIRATORY ACIDOSIS
Case-6
7.54/80/65 on 2L, HCO
3
-
54, anion gap
12,albumin = 4.0 , Ucl 40 meq/l
1: pH = Alkalemia (pH > 7.4)
2:CO
2
= Acid (CO2>40)
So Primary disturbance: Metabolic Alkalosis
3&4: Compensation?
∆ pCO
2
=0.7 x ∆ HCO
3
-
CO
2
will increase by 0.7 (∆HCO
3
-
) 0.7 (54-24)
2140 + 21 = 61 Actual CO
2
is higher than
expected Respiratory Acidosis
Contd….
5: Anion Gap = 12 (alb normal so no correction
necessary)
Urinary chloride is 40 meq/l (> 25 meq/l)so
chloride resistant. So treatment would be
disease specific and repletion of potassium
Dx-METABOLIC ALKALOSIS with RESPIRATORY
ACIDOSIS
Case-7
7.6/30/83 on room air, HCO
3
-
28, anion gap = 12,
albumin = 4.0
1: pH = Alkalemia (pH > 7.4)
2:CO
2
= Base (CO2<40)
SoPrimary Disturbance: Metabolic Alkalosis
3&4: Compensation ?
∆ pCO
2
=0.7 x ∆ HCO
3
-
CO
2
will increase by 0.7 (∆HCO
3
-
) 0.7 (28-24) 2.8 40 + 2.8 =
42.8 Actual CO
2
is lower than expected Respiratory Alkalosis
Anion Gap = 12 (alb normal so no correction necessary)
See urinary chloride for further Dx.
Dx-METABOLIC ALKALOSIS with RESPIRATORY ALKALOSIS
Case-8
A 50 yo male present with sudden onset of SOB with
following ABG 7.25/46/78 on 2L, HCO
3
-
20, anion gap =
10, albumin = 4.0
1: pH = Acidemia (pH < 7.4)
2:CO
2
= Acid (CO2>40)
So Primary disturbance: Respiratory Acidosis
3 &4: If respiratory disturbance is it acute or chronic?
ACUTE
∆ CO
2
= 46-40= 6
If chronic the pH will decrease 0.02 (0.003 x 6 =
0.018) pH would be 7.38
If acute the pH will decrease 0.05 (0.008 x 6 = 0.048)
pH would be 7.35.
Contd…
Anion Gap = 10 (alb normal so no correction necessary)
6: There is an acute respiratory acidosis, is there a metabolic
problem too?
∆ HCO
3
-
= 1 mEq/L↑/10mmHg↑pCO
2
The HCO
3
-
will go up 1mEq/L for every 10mmHg the pCO
2
goes up
above 40
The pCO
2
is up by 6 so it is expected that the HCO
3
-
will go up by
0.6. Expected HCO
3
-
is 24.6, compared to the actual HCO
3
-
of 20.
Since the HCO
3
-
is lower than expected Non-Anion Gap Metabolic
Acidosis (which we suspected).
Dx-RESPIRATORY ACIDOSIS with NON-ANION GAP
METABOLIC ACIDOSIS
Case-9
7.15/22/75 on room air, HCO
3
-
9, anion gap = 10,
albumin = 2.0
1: pH = Acidemia (pH < 7.4)
2:CO
2
= Base (CO2<40)
So Primary disturbance: Metabolic Acidosis
3&4:∆ Compensation ?
pCO
2
=1.2 x ∆ HCO
3
-
Expected pCO
2
= 1.2 x ∆ HCO
3
-
1.2 (24 -9) 1.2
(15) 18. The expected pCO
2
is 22mmHg. The actual
pCO
2
is 22, which is expected, so there is no
concomitant disorder.
Contd….
5: Anion Gap = 10
AGc = 10 + 2.5(4-2) = 15 Anion Gap Metabolic
Acidosis
6: Delta Gap:
Delta gap = (actual AG – 12) + HCO3
= (15-12) + 9
= 3+ 9 = 12 which is<18 Non-AG
Met Acidosis
Dx-ANION GAP METABOLIC ACIDOSIS with NON-
ANION GAP METABOLIC ACIDOSIS