Arterial blood gas (ABG) calculator
Arterial blood gas (ABG) is one of the most frequently done blood tests in intensive care setup. Management of critically ill patients requires correct interpretation of ABG. Complete interpretation of ABG is time-consuming. It takes time to do hefty calculations. Arterial blood gas (ABG) calculator can be helpful in such scenarios. An application like an ABG calculator interprets ABG in a few seconds.
Normal range:
pH – 7.35 to 7.45
Partial pressure of CO2 (PaCO2) – 35 – 45 mmHg.
Bicarbonate (HCO3) – 22 – 26 meq/L or mmol/L.
Basic rules:
pH increases in alkalemia and decreases in acidemia.
PaCO2 is acidic. Hence when increases respiratory acidemia increases and vice versa.
HCO3- is alkalic. Hence when increases metabolic alkalemia increases and vice versa.
HCO3 and PaCO2 act as buffers by compensating for abnormalities of each other.
Metabolic alkalemia (increase HCO3) compensates respiratory acidemia (Increase PaCO2).
Metabolic acidemia (decrease HCO3) compensates respiratory alkalemia (decrease PaCO2).
Respiratory acidemia (increase PaCO2) compensates metabolic alkalemia (increase HCO3).
Respiratory alkalemia (decrease PaCO2) compensates metabolic acidemia (decrease HCO3).
- The individual normal value of any of the above doesn’t suggest normalcy.
- Interpretation of ABG should always be in association with clinical findings.