Blood Gas Interpreter

Interpret acid-base balance from blood gas values.

Input Parameters

Enter measured blood gas values.

Acid-Base Balance and Physiological Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) Interpretation

Physiological Principles & Clinical Context

Maintaining acid-base homeostasis is vital for vascular tone, myocardial contractility, cellular enzyme kinetics, and normal central nervous system function. During cardiopulmonary bypass, the perfusionist acts as the primary controller of acid-base balance by adjusting the sweep gas flow rate (governing pCO₂ clearance) and administering basic buffers like sodium bicarbonate. Acid-base analysis is based on the Henderson-Hasselbalch relationship, which models blood pH as a function of metabolic (bicarbonate) and respiratory (carbon dioxide) parameters, allowing rapid identification of acidosis, alkalosis, and compensatory responses.

Clinical Targets & Safe Ranges

  • Physiological Blood pH Target: 7.35 to 7.45
  • Physiological Arterial pCO₂ Target: 35 to 45 mmHg (or temperature-corrected depending on strategy).
  • Physiological Serum Bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻) Target: 22 to 26 mEq/L
  • Physiological Base Excess (BE) Range: -2.0 to +2.0 mEq/L

Mathematical Formulation

  • ƒHenderson-Hasselbalch Equation: pH = 6.1 + log [ HCO₃⁻ / (0.0301 × pCO₂) ]
  • ƒAlveolar Gas Equation (for reference): PaO₂ = FiO₂ × (Pb - PH₂O) - (PaCO₂ / R)
  • ƒAnion Gap (Standard): Anion Gap = [Na⁺] - ( [Cl⁻] + [HCO₃⁻] )

Academic & Clinical References

  1. Henderson LJ. Das Gleichgewicht zwischen Basen und Säuren im tierischen Organismus. Ergebnisse der Physiologie. 1909;8(1):254-325.
  2. Hasselbalch KA. Die Berechnung der Wasserstoffzahl des Blutes aus der freien und gebundenen Kohlensäure desselben. Biochemische Zeitschrift. 1916;78:112-144.
  3. Siggaard-Andersen O. The Acid-Base Status of the Blood. Copenhagen: Munksgaard; 1974.