International Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Research
Year : 2018, Volume : 5, Issue : 2
First page : ( 314) Last page : ( 320)
Print ISSN : 2394-6369. Online ISSN : 2394-6377.
Article DOI : 10.18231/2394-6377.2018.0065

Application of standard bicarbonate/carbonic acid ratio in arterial blood gas analysis

Samuel T. Rajini*

Assistant Professor, Dept. of Biochemistry, Shri Sathya Sai Medical College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu, India

*Corresponding Author: Email: samuel.biochemistry@gmail.com

Online published on 2 January, 2019.

Abstract

Arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis is a challenging but clinically very important diagnostic test in intensive care unit patients but combined acid base disorders either due to compensatory mechanisms or mixed disorders are often difficult and sometimes confusing. The aim of the current research study is to find out the clinical significance of two newer ratios derived using standard bicarbonate, bicarbonate and carbonic acid values. The study included 176 arterial blood gas samples collected from I.C.U patients and ABG analysis were done which classified them into various acid base disorder groups. Bicarbonate/carbonic acid ratio and standard bicarbonate/carbonic acid ratio values were calculated for all the samples. These two values were divided to form a newer ratio 1 (HCO₃/H₂CO₃)/(Std HCO₃/H₂CO₃) and the difference between the two values form an another newer ratio 2 (HCO₃-Std HCO₃)/H₂CO₃. The relation between pH, pCO₂ and the two newer ratios were graphically analysed. Mean ± standard deviation was calculated for both the ratios 1 and 2 in various acid-base disorder groups. One way ANOVA statistical test was applied and the two ratios are found to be statistically significant at p<0.01 for different acid-base disorder groups. The current research study shows that the ratios are altered in various acid-base disorders depending on the changes in pCO₂ values. The study concluded that the two newer ratios derived may provide some clues regarding the disturbances affecting the acid-base homeostasis which may be used as a discriminator between various acid-base disorders.

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Keywords

Standard bicarbonate, Bicarbonate, Carbonic acid, Acid base disorders.

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