Value Of Strong Ion Gap Research Articles

Prognostic Significance of the Strong Ion Gap in Patients in Medical and Surgical Intensive Care Units.

Background This study aimed to analyze acid-base imbalance by assessing the arterial blood gas (ABG) samples of the medical and surgical intensive care unit (ICU) patients by the Stewart approach and demonstrate the advantages of this method in delineating the acid-base status in cases where Henderson-Hasselbalch, anion gap, and base excess cannot optimally depict the imbalance and create recognition in the clinicians in this regard. Methodology Adult (i.e., age > 18 years) patients admitted to the ICU of our institution during a one-year study period were included in this study. The patients were divided into two groups based on the indication of admission to the ICU as medicalor surgical. The ABG, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphate, chloride, albumin, lactate, hemoglobin, hematocrit, leukocyte, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine values determined during the first 24-hour period were used for calculating the Acute Physiologic Assessment and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II), strong ion difference apparent (SIDa), and SID effective (SIDe) scores, which were subsequently compared between the groups. Results Overall, 220 (110 medical and 110 surgical) patients were included. The mean patient age was 63.56 ± 18.08 years. The mean APACHE II scores were 21.99 and 19.63 in the medical and surgical groups, respectively. Overall, 110 patients died, while 110 were referred to the regular patient floor. The mean APACHE II score of the patients who died was 28.3, and the latter group had a mean APACHE II score of 13.57. There was a significant difference between the surgical and medical patient groups regarding mean values of APACHE II, SIDa, and SIDe scores. Also, the differences were significant between the patients who died and were discharged. There was a significant difference between the patients who died and were discharged regarding the strong ion gap (SIG); however, the medical and surgical patient groups were not different concerning the SIG values. Conclusions We conclude that SIDa, SIDe, and SIG can be used in medical and surgical ICU patients to predict prognosis.

Physicochemical properties of abnormal blood acid-base buffering.

This paper describes two new features 1) development of physicochemically based, two-compartment models describing acid-base-state changes in normal and abnormal blood and 2) use of model results to view and describe physicochemical properties of blood, in terms of Pco2 as the causative independent variable and effected [H+] changes as the dependent variable. Models were derived from an in vitro experimental study, where normal blood was made both hypoproteinemic and hyperalbuminemic and then equilibrated with CO2. Strong-ion gap (SIG) values were selected to match model and experimental pH. The effect of individual physicochemical factors affecting blood acid-base-state were evaluated from their induced changes on buffer curve linearized slope (βH+) and [H+] curve shift at 40 mmHg ([H+]40). Model findings were: 1) in severe hypoproteinemia, hemoglobin enhances buffering (decreases βH+), whereas albumin compromises it, resulting in an almost unchanged βH+; [H+]40 decreases (alkalemia) due to hypoalbuminemia. 2) Severe hyperalbuminemia greatly increases both βH+ and [H+]40, hence, compromising buffering and causing a severe acidemia. 3) Pco2-induced changes in the electrical-charge concentration of hemoglobin are the principal factor responsible for maintaining normal buffering characteristics in hypoproteinemia and hyperalbuminemia. 4) SIG values are a third Pco2-independent characteristic of blood acid-base state and 5) the quantities, βH+, [H+]40, and SIG, derived from a [H+] vs. Pco2 perspective, are a more informative and intuitive way to characterize blood acid-base state.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study represents the most up-to-date, physicochemical, multi-compartment computer model of the processes involved in determining the acid-base buffering state of blood. Previous models lack this capability, notably by being single compartment and/or lacking electroneutrality and osmotic constraints. Model results, analyzed from a different perspective of dependent [H+] changes resulting from independent Pco2 changes, provide a new set of Pco2-independent parameters, characteristic of blood buffering properties.

Value of strong ion gap for predicting acute heart failure after acute myocardial infarction

Objective To investigate the value of strong ion gap (SIG) for predicting acute heart failure (AHF) after acute myocardial infarction. Methods A total of 189 patients with acute myocardial infarction were enrolled from July 2015 to December 2016 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University. Based on AHF occurrence, the patients were divided into the AHF group (n=76) and the non-AHF group (n=113). General clinical data and laboratory tests were compared between the two groups. The univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to estimate the contribution of clinical risk factors to triggering AHF after acute myocardial infarction. Spearman correlation analysis was performed to estimate the correlation between SIG and Killip classification. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted to evaluate the predictive value of ALB, anion gap (AG) and SIG in AHF after acute myocardial infarction. Results Age, proportion of history of diabetes, the serum level of C-reactive protein (CRP), AG and SIG of the AHF group were higher than those of the non-AHF group (P<0.05). Meanwhile, the serum level of albumin (ALB) of the AHF group were lower than those of the non-AHF group (P<0.05). Univariate analysis showed AHF after acute myocardial infarction was closely associated with age, history of diabetes, serum ALB, AG and SIG (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that history of diabetes (OR=2.034, 95%CI: 1.075-4.113, P<0.05) and SIG (OR=2.445, 95%CI: 1.538-4.297, P<0.05) were significantly correlated with AHF after acute myocardial infarction. The ROC analysis revealed SIG (AUC=0.837,95%CI: 0.781-0.893) had a large area under curve compared to ALB (AUC=0.671,95%CI: 0.593-0.750) and AG (AUC=0.728,95%CI: 0.654-0.802). The optimal diagnostic intercept value was 5.24 mmol/L, and the sensitivity and specificity were 76.32% and 78.36%, respectively. Conclusions SIG could be used as an independent predictor for AHF secondary to acute myocardial infarction, and was significantly correlated with severity of AHF. Key words: Acute myocardial infarction; Acute heart failure; Strong ion gap; Prediction

Value of strong ion gap for predicting the severity of acute pancreatitis

Objective To investigate the value of strong ion gap (SIG) in predicting the severity of acute pancreatitis (AP) based on the revised Atlanta classification. Methods A total of 133 patients with AP admitted from January, 2015 to December, 2016 were enrolled. Of them, there were 55 with mild AP (MAP), 52 with moderately severe AP (MSAP) and 26 with severe AP (SAP). All patients with AP conformed to the diagnostic criteria of Guidelines or Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute Pancreatitis set in 2014 in China. Patients with other underlying diseases that might influence the clinical outcome were excluded, including those with diabetic ketoacidosis, chronic renal failure and other disorders. The changes in blood SIG levels in each group were observed. The correlations between SIG and acute physiology, chronic health evaluation (APACHE) Ⅱ score, Ranson score and length of hospital stay were analyzed. The receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) were plotted to determine the efficiency of SIG, Scr, APACHEⅡ score, and Ranson score for predicting the severity of acute pancreatitis. Results The level of SIG in the SAP group was the highest, followed by the MSAP group and the lowest in the MAP group. There were significant differences in pairwise comparisons (P 0.05) and as well as Ranson score (0.874±0.029 vs. 0.890±0.027, P>0.05) for predicting moderately-severe acute pancreatitis, but SIG was superior to Scr (0.874±0.029 vs. 0.735±0.043, P 0.05) and Ranson score (0.910±0.030 vs. 0.871±0.032, P>0.05) for predicting severe acute pancreatitis. Conclusion SIG has important clinical significance for predicting the severity of acute pancreatitis. Key words: Acute pancreatitis; Strong ion gap; Severity; Prediction

Acid-base disorders in calves with chronic diarrhea.

The aim of this study was to analyze disorders of acid-base balance in calves with chronic diarrhea caused by mixed, viral, bacterial and Cryptosporydium parvum infection. We compared results ob- tained with the classic model (Henderson-Hasselbalch) and strong ion approach (the Steward model). The study included 36 calves aged between 14 and 21 days. The calves were allocated to three groups: I - (control) non-diarrheic calves, group II - animals with compensated acid-base imbalance and group III calves with compensated acid-base disorders and hypoalbuminemia. Plasma concentrations of Na+, K+, Cl-, C12+, Mg2+, P, albumin and lactate were measured. In the classic model, acid-base balance was determined on the basis of blood pH, pCO2, HCO3-, BE and anion gap. In the strong ion model, strong ion difference (SID), effective strong anion difference, total plasma concentration of nonvolatile buffers (A(Tot)) and strong ion gap (SIG) were measured. The control calves and the animals from groups II and III did not differ significantly in terms of their blood pH. The plasma concentration of HCO3-, BE and partial pressure of CO2 in animals from the two groups with chronic diarrhea were significantly higher than those found in the controls. The highest BE (6.03 mmol/l) was documented in calves from group II. The animals from this group presented compensation resulted from activation of metabolic mechanisms. The calves with hypoal- buminemia (group III) showed lower plasma concentrations of albumin (15.37 g/L), Cl (74.94 mmol/L), Mg2+ (0.53 mmol/L), P (1.41 mmol/L) and higher value of anion gap (39.03 mmol/L). This group III presented significantly higher SID3 (71.89 mmol/L), SID7 (72.92 mmol/L) and SIG (43.53 mmol/L) values than animals from the remaining groups (P < 0.01), whereas A(Tot) (6.82 mmol/L) were significantly lower. The main finding of the correlation study was the excellent relationship between the AGcorr and SID3, SID7, SIG. In conclusion, chronic diarrhea leads to numerous water-electrolyte disorders. Characterization of acid-base disturbance in these cases suggests that classic model have some limitations. This model can not be recommended for use whenever serum albumin or phosphate concentrations are markedly abnormal.

Metabolic acidosis and strong ion gap in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury.

Purpose. To determine the influence of physicochemical parameters on survival in metabolic acidosis (MA) and acute kidney injury (AKI) patients. Materials and Methods. Seventy-eight MA patients were collected and assigned to AKI or non-AKI group. We analyzed the physiochemical parameters on survival at 24 h, 72 h, 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after AKI. Results. Mortality rate was higher in the AKI group. AKI group had higher anion gap (AG), strong ion gap (SIG), and apparent strong ion difference (SIDa) values than non-AKI group. SIG value was higher in the AKI survivors than nonsurvivors and this value was correlated serum creatinine, phosphate, albumin, and chloride levels. SIG and serum albumin are negatively correlated with Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation IV scores. AG was associated with mortality at 1 and 3 months post-AKI, whereas SIG value was associated with mortality at 24 h, 72 h, 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months post-AKI. Conclusions. Whether high or low SIG values correlate with mortality in MA patients with AKI depends on its correlation with serum creatinine, chloride, albumin, and phosphate (P) levels. AG predicts short-term mortality and SIG value predicts both short- and long-term mortality among MA patients with AKI.

Stewart analysis of apparently normal acid-base state in the critically ill

PurposeThis study aimed to describe Stewart parameters in critically ill patients with an apparently normal acid-base state and to determine the incidence of mixed metabolic acid-base disorders in these patients. Materials and MethodsWe conducted a prospective, observational multicenter study of 312 consecutive Dutch intensive care unit patients with normal pH (7.35 ≤ pH ≤ 7.45) on days 3 to 5. Apparent (SIDa) and effective strong ion difference (SIDe) and strong ion gap (SIG) were calculated from 3 consecutive arterial blood samples. Multivariate linear regression analysis was performed to analyze factors potentially associated with levels of SIDa and SIG. ResultsA total of 137 patients (44%) were identified with an apparently normal acid-base state (normal pH and −2 < base excess < 2 and 35 < PaCO2 < 45 mm Hg). In this group, SIDa values were 36.6 ± 3.6 mEq/L, resulting from hyperchloremia (109 ± 4.6 mEq/L, sodium-chloride difference 30.0 ± 3.6 mEq/L); SIDe values were 33.5 ± 2.3 mEq/L, resulting from hypoalbuminemia (24.0 ± 6.2 g/L); and SIG values were 3.1 ± 3.1 mEq/L. During admission, base excess increased secondary to a decrease in SIG levels and, subsequently, an increase in SIDa levels. Levels of SIDa were associated with positive cation load, chloride load, and admission SIDa (multivariate r2 = 0.40, P < .001). Levels of SIG were associated with kidney function, sepsis, and SIG levels at intensive care unit admission (multivariate r2 = 0.28, P < .001). ConclusionsIntensive care unit patients with an apparently normal acid-base state have an underlying mixed metabolic acid-base disorder characterized by acidifying effects of a low SIDa (caused by hyperchloremia) and high SIG combined with the alkalinizing effect of hypoalbuminemia.

Acid-Base Effects of a Bicarbonate-Balanced Priming Fluid during Cardiopulmonary Bypass: Comparison with Plasma-Lyte 148. A Randomised Single-Blinded Study

Fluid-induced metabolic acidosis can be harmful and can complicate cardiopulmonary bypass. In an attempt to prevent this disturbance, we designed a bicarbonate-based crystalloid circuit prime balanced on physico-chemical principles with a strong ion difference of 24 mEq/l and compared its acid-base effects with those of Plasma-Lyte 148, a multiple electrolyte replacement solution containing acetate plus gluconate totalling 50 mEq/l. Twenty patients with normal acid-base status undergoing elective cardiac surgery were randomised 1:1 to a 2 litre prime of either bicarbonate-balanced fluid or Plasma-Lyte 148. With the trial fluid, metabolic acid-base status was normal following bypass initiation (standard base excess 0.1 (1.3) mEq/l, mean, SD), whereas Plasma-Lyte 148 produced a slight metabolic acidosis (standard base excess -2.2 (2.1) mEq/l). Estimated group difference after baseline adjustment was 3.6 mEq/l (95% confidence interval 2.1 to 5.1 mEq/l, P=0.0001). By late bypass, mean standard base excess in both groups was normal (0.8 (2.2) mEq/l vs. -0.8 (1.3) mEq/l, P=0.5). Strong ion gap values were unaltered with the trial fluid, but with Plasma-Lyte 148 increased significantly on bypass initiation (15.2 (2.5) mEq/l vs. 2.5 (1.5) mEq/l, P < 0.0001), remaining elevated in late bypass (8.4 (3.4) mEq/l vs. 5.8 (2.4) mEq/l, P < 0.05). We conclude that a bicarbonate-based crystalloid with a strong ion difference of 24 mEq/l is balanced for cardiopulmonary bypass in patients with normal acid-base status, whereas Plasma-Lyte 148 triggers a surge of unmeasured anions, persisting throughout bypass. These are likely to be gluconate and/or acetate. Whether surges of exogenous anions during bypass can be harmful requires further study.

Stability of the Strong Ion Gap versus the Anion Gap over Extremes of PCO2 and pH

The strong ion gap (SIG) is under evaluation as a scanning tool for unmeasured ions. SIG is calculated by subtracting [buffer base], which is ([A-]+[HCO3-), from the apparent strong ion difference, which is ([Na+]+[K+]+[Ca++]+[Mg++]-[Cl-]-[L-lactate]). A- is the negative charge on albumin and phosphate. We compared the pH stability of the SIG with that of the anion gap (AG). In normal and hypoalbuminaemic hyperlactaemic blood, PCO2 was reduced stepwise in vitro from >200 mmHg to <20 mmHg, with serial blood gas and electrolyte analyses, and [albumin] and [phosphate] measurement on completion. Respective [haemoglobin], [albumin], [phosphate] and [lactate] in normal blood were 156 (0.9) g/l, 44 (2) g/l, 1.14 (0.06) mmol/l and 1.7 (0.8) mEq/l, and in hypoalbuminaemic blood 116 (0.9) g/l, 24 (2) g/l, 0.78 (0.06) mmol/l and 8.5 (0.5) mEq/l. pH increased from < 6.85 to > 7.55, causing significant falls in [Na+] and elevations in [Cl-]. Initial and final SIG values did not differ, showing no correlation with pH. Mean SIG was 0.5 +/- 1.5 mEq/l. AG values were directly correlated with pH (normal: R2 = 0.51, hypoalbuminaemic: R2 = 0.65). Final AG values significantly exceeded initial values (normal blood: 15.9 (1.7) mEq/l versus 8.9 (1.8) mEq/l, P < 0.01; hypoalbuminaemic blood: 16.5 (0.8) mEq/l versus 11.8 (2.0) mEq/l, P < 0.05). We conclude that, unlike the AG, the SIG is not affected by severe respiratory acidosis and alkalosis, enhancing its utility in acid-base disturbances.

Acid-Base Balance during Continuous Veno-Venous Hemofiltration: The Impact of Severe Hepatic Failure

Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) affects acid-base balance but the influence of severe hepatic failure (SHF) on this effect is unknown. To assess the effect of SHF on acid-base balance in patients receiving CVVH. Retrospective laboratory investigation. Forty patients with SHF and acute renal failure (ARF) treated with CVVH and 42 critically ill patients with severe ARF but no liver disease also treated with CVVH (controls). Retrieval of clinical and laboratory data from prospective unit and laboratory databases. Quantitative acid-base status assessment using the Stewart-Figge methodology. Comparison of findings between the two groups. Although CVVH had a major effect on acid base balance in both groups, patients with SHF had a higher mean lactate concentrations (4.8 vs. 3.1 mmol/L; p<0.0005), a greater base deficit compared to controls (-1 vs. 4.1 mEq/L; p<0.0001) and a lower PaCO 2 tension (36.8 vs. 42.5 mmHg; p<0.0001), despite the use of bicarbonate replacement fluid. The acidifying effect of hyperlactatemia was slightly worsened by an increased strong ion gap (9.3 vs. 4.9 mEq/L; p<0.0001). It was, however, attenuated by an increased strong ion difference apparent (SIDa) (43.6 vs. 41.9 mEq/L; p<0.05) secondary to hypochloremia (96 vs. 100 mmol/L; p<0.0001) and by hypoalbuminemia, although hypoalbuminemia in SHF patients (26 vs. 23; p<0.005) was less pronounced than in controls. The use of CVVH does not fully correct the independent acidifying effect of liver failure on acid-base status. Increased lactate and strong ion gap values maintain a persistent base deficit despite the alkalinizing effects of hypoalbuminemia and hypochloremia. The correction of acidosis in SHF patients may require more intensive CVVH.