PaCO2 (mmHg) |
Expected bicarbonate =
24 + ((Patient's PCO2 - Baseline PCO2)/10)
NOTE: Baseline PCO2 default should be 40.
Interpretation: If patient's bicarb is higher than expected, a superimposed metabolic alkalosis is present. If it is lower, a superimposed metabolic acidosis is present.
Limit of compensation: 32. So any result (expected bicarbonate) higher than 32 should be converted to 32.