Acid–Base Abnormalities among Patients Admitted in the Intensive Care Unit of a Teaching Hospital

Acid–base abnormalities (arterial blood gas [ABG]) pose a threat to survival in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. We present a case series of 60 cases from hospital records highlighting the acid–base abnormalities among ICU patients. All standard protocols were followed in the study hospital to collect the arterial blood samples and standard procedures for measurement of ABGs. We found that 93.3% had acid–base abnormalities, 13.3% had nonanion gap metabolic acidosis, 20% had anion gap metabolic acidosis, 50% had metabolic alkalosis, 45% had respiratory acidosis, 21.7% had respiratory alkalosis, 41.7% had mixed disorders, 31.7% had double disorders, and 10% had triple disorder. We conclude that mixed disorder is common in ICU patients with alkalosis being slightly more common than acidosis. By doing ABG, we will be able to detect the underlying acid–base disorder promptly and initiate treatment immediately so that we can decrease the suffering and save the lives of the patients. Hence, a careful look at the ABG within 24 h of admission of a patient to ICU can help save lives.