Analytical, intra-individual, and interindividual components of variation have been determined for pH, pCO2, bicarbonate, base excess, and total CO2 in capillary specimens of whole blood from a cohort of 14 healthy subjects. Calculated analytical goals (SD) are pH less than or equal to 0.008, pCO2 less than or equal to 0.9 mmHg, bicarbonate less than or equal to 0.5 mmol/L, base excess less tha...

Acid-base abnormalities are common in the critically ill. The traditional classification of acid-base abnormalities and a modern physico-chemical method of categorizing them will be explored. Specific disorders relating to mortality prediction in the intensive care unit are examined in detail. Lactic acidosis, base excess, and a strong ion gap are highlighted as markers for increased risk of de...

I read the interesting article by Zampieri and colleagues [1] reporting the new association between inflammatory cytokines and acid-base components in 87 ICU patients. I would like to note that whatever approach is used to investigate the acid-base status (the celebrated bicarbonate-centered approach, the base excess methodology or the physicochemical approach) most of the acidbase parameters h...

Metabolic alkalosis is a common disorder, accounting for half of all acid-base disturbances in hospitalized patients. It is the result of an increase in bicarbonate production, a decrease in bicarbonate excretion, or a loss of hydrogen ions. Most causes of metabolic alkalosis can be divided into 4 categories: chloride depletion alkalosis, mineralocorticoid excess syndromes, apparent mineralocor...

OBJECTIVE To determine factors contributing to the failure of vacuum delivery and to compare the neonatal and maternal morbidity associated with failed and successful procedures. METHODS A retrospective case-control study was undertaken at Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya, by review of medical charts from the period of January 2007 to December 2010. In total, 31 cases of failed va...

The purpose of this study was to examine oxygen consumption (VO2) and heart rate kinetics during moderate and repeated bouts of heavy square-wave cycling from an exercising baseline. Eight healthy, male volunteers performed square-wave bouts of leg ergometry above and below the gas exchange threshold separated by recovery cycling at 35% VO2 peak. VO2 and heart rate kinetics were modeled, after ...