Acidaemia
July 29th, 2019
Overview
A pH <7.35 is indicative of acidaemia; this may be due to a primary metabolic or respiratory acidosis.
Causes of Acidaemia
- Metabolic acidosis - acid ingestion, lactic acidosis, ketoacidosis, renal failure, renal tubular acidosis, diarrhoea
- Respiratory acidosis - hypoventilation or dead space ventilation
Interpretation
- Reduced HCO₃ ± reduced PaCO₂ - suggests metabolic acidosis
- Elevated PaCO₂ ± elevated HCO₃ - suggests respiratory acidosis
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