Exp Comp for Resp Acidosis, Chronic
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PaCO2 (mmHg)
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HCO3 (mg/dL)
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Exp Comp for Resp Acidosis, Chronic

Expected bicarbonate = 24 + ((Patient's PCO2 - Baseline PCO2)/2.5)

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: 45. So any result (expected bicarbonate) higher than 32 should be converted to 45.

Reference:

Doyle DJ. A Synopsis of Acid-Base Analysis. http://acidbase.homestead.com/ABG_Analysis_Rev_2.0.pdf. Update Jan 2006. Last assessed June 2013