Clinical Use of the Anion Gap

Metformin-Induced Lactic Acidosis with Emphasis on the Anion Gap

“…In their article initially describing the clinical implications of the AG, Emmett and Narins defi ned the AG and detailed its utility in evaluating a patient's acid-base status (2). Th e serum AG is calculated from the laboratory measurement of electrolytes and provides important information regarding a patient's acidbase status.…”

Acid Base Disorders in Critically Ill Neonatal Intensive Care Patients and Predicting Survival by the Presence of Deranged Acid-Base Variables

“…Standard nomogram is used to correct the base excess for hemoglobin [9,10]. A multicompartmental model developed by Wooten is used to correct the Figge-Fencl equations for haemoglobin [21].…”

“…Standard base excess is a calculated from P a CO 2 and pH. When the base excess is positive it is termed as alkalosis, while when the base excess is negative or there is base deficit, it is termed as acidosis [1,[8][9][10]. Anion gap is defined as the difference between the anions and the cations in the blood.…”

“…SID e = (HCO 3 -) + (charge on albumin) + (charge on phosphate) [10] Weak acids charge depends on pH, and so can be calculated as The sum of the weak acids (albumin and phosphate) is called as A TOT as they exists in both dissociated form (A -) as well as nondissociated form (AH).…”

Use of the ΔAG/ΔHCO3 − Ratio in the Diagnosis of Mixed Acid-Base Disorders

“…Because the total concentration of anions and cations in plasma is equal, the AG reflects the difference between the concentration of unmeasured anions and cations. 1 A normal AG primarily reflects the concentration of nonbicarbonate buffers including albumin, phosphate, sulfate, and organic acids. Albumin is the main component of the normal AG with each gram per deciliter contributing 2.5 mEq/L to the gap calculation.…”