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a Practical Workshop
Joel M. Topf,MD
Clinical Nephrologist
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Acid-Base Physiology
Joel M. Topf, MD
Introduction
Acid-base is a subject that is intimidating because the inorganic chemists screwed it up. While
every other medically important ion is measured in straight forward, an easy to understand
units, hydrogen ions are measured on a non-linear negative log rhythmic scale.
Goals
• Understand pH • Non-anion gap metabolic acidosis
• The Henderson Hasselbach formula • Delta-gap or gap-gap
• The four primary acid-base disturbances. • Osmolar gap
• Compensation • Alkalosis and calcium
• Metabolic acidosis • Etiologies and management of the pri-
• Metabolic alkalosis mary acid-base disturbances
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Acid-Base Physiology
Joel M. Topf, MD
Table of Contents
pH and the hydrogen ion concentration
..........................................................................4
Compensation ......................................................................................................................9
Looking for second primary acid base disturbances the old fashioned way ............. 15
Answers ................................................................................................................................ 28
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Acid-Base Physiology
Joel M. Topf, MD
Hydrogen ions are similar and different Hydrogen ions exist at such a minute
from other physiologically important elec- concentrations that inorganic chemists de-
trolytes. Like other electrolytes, hydrogen cided to measure then on a negative log-
ion concentrations need to be regulated. If rhythmic scale so 0.00004 mmol/L converts
the concentration rises too high or falls too to 7.4. Every move of one point is a factor of
low there are physiologic consequences and ten. a pH of 6.4 is 400 nmol/L and 8.4 is 4
illness. A normal hydrogen ion concentration nmol/L. On this scale every change of 0.3
is 40 nmol/L and that leads to the principle pH units changes the hydrogen concentra-
difference from other ions. tion by a factor of two.
40 nmol/L
is
0.00004 mmol/L
pH H+ concentration
(nmol/L)
6.8 160
7.1 80
7.4 40
7.7 20
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Acid-Base Physiology
Joel M. Topf, MD
Henderson-Hasselbalch equation
The primary buffer in the body is bicar- This mass action formula can be simplified
bonate which is in equilibrium with carbon to a simple relationship called the
dioxide and water. The relationship between Henderson-Hasselbalch formula.
hydrogen ions, bicarbonate and carbon diox-
ide is governed by the law of mass action.
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Acid-Base Physiology
Joel M. Topf, MD
The Henderson Hasselbalch formula provides a critical relationship that governs all of acid
base physiology. It is the MANTRA of acid-base physiology.
The pH is proportional to the serum bi- If the quantitative approach is not helpful
carbonate over carbon dioxide. An increase one can understand the relationship from a
in the numerator, bicarbonate, increases pH. simple qualitative approach. Bicarbonate is
A decrease in the denominator, carbon diox- alkaline so increases in its concentration oc-
ide, also increases the pH. This relationship cur with increases in pH. The carbon dioxide
of bicarbonate, CO2 and pH is critical and is the acid so as its concentration rise the pH
you must have perfect knowledge of it to falls.
understand even the basics of acid-base
physiology.
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Acid-Base Physiology
Joel M. Topf, MD
You are taking step II and they give you the following ABG:
pH = 6.8 / pCO2 = 50 / HCO3 = 15
You have been told that one question on the boards will require to use the
Henderson-Hasselbalch equation to determine if the ABG is possible. Use
the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation to determine if this ABG is possible.
I guarantee you will get one of these questions on the USMLE. There will be one acid-base
question where the right answer is some variance of:
E) There is a lab error.
or
B) This ABG is impossible.
One of the keys to the math on these problems is realizing that no one has a calculator and
it is rather difficult to do logs in your head so the test writers try to keep the numbers easy to
handle. The pCO2 x 0.03 will always be a tenth of the bicarbonate (so the log is 1 and the pH
should be 6.1+1=7.1) or a hundredth of the bicarbonate (so the log is 2 and the pH should be
6.1+2=8.1).
Remember: the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation is not just a good idea...Its the law.
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Acid-Base Physiology
Joel M. Topf, MD
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Acid-Base Physiology
Joel M. Topf, MD
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Acid-Base Physiology
Joel M. Topf, MD
In metabolic disorders: pH, HCO3 and In respiratory disorders: pH, HCO3 and
pCO2 all move in the same directions pCO2 move in discordant directions
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Acid-Base Physiology
Joel M. Topf, MD
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Acid-Base Physiology
Joel M. Topf, MD
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Acid-Base Physiology
Joel M. Topf, MD
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Acid-Base Physiology
Joel M. Topf, MD
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Acid-Base Physiology
Joel M. Topf, MD
Metabolic increase in bicarbonate CO2 increases 0.7 for every 1 mmol increase
alkalosis increase in carbon dioxide in HCO3
If the prediction equation explains the bolic (renal) compensation for respiratory
compensation then you have a simple acid- disorders follows a slowed process.
base disorder. If the prediction equation does In metabolic disorders, if the actual pCO2
not explain the compensation then a second is less than the predicted pCO2 there is an
primary disorder exists. additional respiratory alkalosis. If the actual
Respiratory compensation for metabolic pCO2 is greater than the predicted pCO2
disorders is essentially instant while meta- there is an additional respiratory acidosis.
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Acid-Base Physiology
Joel M. Topf, MD
In respiratory disorders, if the actual the actual HCO3 is less than the predicted
HCO3 is greater than the predicted HCO3 HCO3 there is an additional metabolic acido-
there is an additional metabolic alkalosis. If sis.
• If the actual pCO2 was 28 then the patient • The pH is decreased and both the HCO3
would have a pCO2 that was higher than and pCO2 are elevated. Since the vari-
predicted or an additional primary respi- ables move in discordant direction it is a
ratory acidosis. respiratory disturbance.
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Acid-Base Physiology
Joel M. Topf, MD
Respiratory Respiratory
acidosis alkalosis
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Acid-Base Physiology
Joel M. Topf, MD
Brittany has been out partying and wakes up vomiting. After six hours
she is still vomiting and calls her personal Concierge Physician who gets
the following ABG:
7.71 / 33 / 94 with an HCO3 of 40 on the electrolyte panel.
John Daley presents to the ED stuporous. His catty says he has been tak-
ing nips from a little bottle all day. His labs reveal the following:
7.22 / 17 / 112
147
104
38
4.2
7
1.8
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Acid-Base Physiology
Joel M. Topf, MD
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Acid-Base Physiology
Joel M. Topf, MD
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Acid-Base Physiology
Joel M. Topf, MD
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Acid-Base Physiology
Joel M. Topf, MD
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Acid-Base Physiology
Joel M. Topf, MD
in my experience patients still have consid- Distal RTA can be more severe than
erable problems with NAGMA and require proximal RTA and can be associate with ei-
oral alkali therapy. ther a high or low potassium. Patients are
Renal loss of bicarbonate is called renal predisposed to developing calcium oxalate
tubular acidosis (RTA) and is classified by and calcium phosphate kidney stones.
the location of the defect. It can be proximal Causes of distal RTA
tubule (type II), distal nephron or cortical
Hyperkalemic distal RTA
collecting duct (type I) or due to hyperka-
lemia and a lack of ammonia in the tubular • Obstructive uropathy
fluid (type 4). • Sickle cell anemia
Proximal RTA is typically a mild RTA • Lupus
with serum bicarbonates running in the mid • Triameterene
to upper teens. The patients often have other • Amiloride
signs of proximal tubule dysfunction (look Hypokalemic (classic) distal RTA
for glucosuria in the absence of diabetes,
phosphate wasting, and proteinuria). Pa- • Congenital
tients usually have associated hypokalemia • Lithium
that get’s worse when you treat the acidosis. • Multiple myeloma
Causes of proximal RTA • Lupus
Acquired • Sickle cell anemia
• Acetylzolamide • Sjögrenʼs syndrome
• Ifosfamide • Toluene (Glue sniffing)
• Chronic hypocalcemia • Wilsonʼs disease
• Multiple myeloma • Amphotercin B
• Cisplatin Type 4 RTA or hypo-rennin, hypo-
• Lead toxicity aldosteronism is associated with hyperka-
• Mercury poisoning lemia. It is most common among elderly
men with long standing diabetes.
• Streptozocin
• Expired tetracycline
• Hyperparathyroidism
• Chronic hypocapnia
Genetic
• Cystinosis
• Galactosemia
• Hereditary fructose intolerance
• Wilsonʼs disease
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Joel M. Topf, MD
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Acid-Base Physiology
Joel M. Topf, MD
Problems: figure out the anion gap, calculated osmolality, and osmolar gap in the following
patients
1.
148
111
10
Ethanol: 0
Glucose: 40
Anion gap: 25
4.8
12
0.8
Osmolality: 337
Calculated Osm: 302
Osmolar gap: 35
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Acid-Base Physiology
Joel M. Topf, MD
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Acid-Base Physiology
Joel M. Topf, MD
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Acid-Base Physiology
Joel M. Topf, MD
Determine the primary acid-base distur- 9. Anion gap: 30 Calc Osm: 268 gap: 45
bance (page 11): 10. Anion gap: 13 Calc Osm: 339 gap: 5
1. Metabolic Acidosis Gap-Gap case vignettes:
2. Respiratory acidosis 1. metabolic acidosis
3. Metabolic alkalosis 2. None
4. Metabolic Acidosis 3. 14
5. Respiratory acidosis 4. 10
6. Respiratory acidosis 1. metabolic acidosis
7. Metabolic Acidosis 2. respiratory alkalosis
8. Respiratory acidosis 3. 22
9. Metabolic alkalosis
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Acid-Base Physiology
Joel M. Topf, MD
4. 28
Calculate the bicarb prior to the AGMA:
1.Anion Gap: 20 Bicarb before: 26
2.Anion Gap: 18 Bicarb before: 18
3.Anion Gap: 18 Bicarb before: 12
4.Anion Gap: 16 Bicarb before: 20
5.Anion Gap: 18 Bicarb before: 24
6.Anion Gap: 22 Bicarb before: 29
7.Anion Gap: 23 Bicarb before: 25
8.Anion Gap: 16 Bicarb before: 20
9.Anion Gap: 28 Bicarb before: 22
10.Anion Gap: 28 Bicarb before: 30
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