ABSTRACT
Selected aspects of acid-base imbalance during surgical treatment
Acid-base imbalance (ABI) in surgical patients is a relatively frequent occurrence and often a decisive factor for the success of treatment. ABI can develop at any stage of management: preoperatively, intraoperatively or postoperatively. The awareness of ABI, complete understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms and the ability to interpret abnormalities based on blood gases test results are of particular importance. This paper describes selected aspects of metabolic acid-base disturbances in the most common surgical diseases and methods for assessing related abnormalities. Pathophysiological mechanisms associated with various disease stages are outlined in a concise way. Simplified interpretation methods based on an anion gap, base excess/deficit and Stewart’s physicochemical concept are presented, which can be used for diagnosing both simple and combined acid-base disorders. The key elements of modern analysis of the above problems are independent variables such as strong ion difference (SID), mostly sodium and chloride, concentration of weak acids – Atot, mostly albumin and phosphate, and CO2 partial pressure. The independent variables create an electrochemical force that alters the degree of water dissociation and hydrogen ion concentration, and thus the blood pH. Each of the independent variables induces base excess changes and thus it is possible to determine the contribution of unidentified anions – XA-, whose presence indicates the severity of the patient's clinical condition. Due to dynamic metabolic processes, gastrointestinal (GI) diseases as well as GI surgical procedures can easily disturb relations between independent variables, thus altering blood pH and causing acid-base disturbances. The treatment of acid-base disorders should place a greater emphasis on causal management as compared to the administration of alkalizing or acidifying agents. The understanding of the above issues allows clinicians to make knowledgeable decisions regarding the type of abnormality as well as the composition of infusion fluids, electrolytes and parenteral nutrition.
Piśmiennictwo
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