Stewart’s Approach for Acid-base Disorders: Does the Strong Ion Difference and Effects Have an Impact on Intensive Care Unit Mortality?

Objective: The diagnosis and treatment of electrolyte and acid-base imbalances in intensive care unit (ICU) patients have critical importance. The value of Stewart’s approach in revealing acid-base disorders is known. There are parameters defined according to this approach. This study investigates the impact of the chloride effect (ClEffect), sodium effect (NaEffect), sodium-chloride effect (Na-ClEffect), strong ion difference (SIDnl) and Cl/Na ratio values calculated according to Stewart’s approach on ICU mortality. Materials and Methods: Two thousand patients whose Na, Cl, K, standard base excess (SBE), pH values were recorded and SIDnl, ClEffect, NaEffect, Na-ClEffect, Acute Physiology Assessment and Chronic Health Evaluation-II (APACHE-II) and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores calculated are included in this study. ClEffect, NaEffect, Na-ClEffect, SIDnl, Cl/Na ratio values were evaluated with a multivariable logistic regression model in terms of ICU mortality. Results: Abnormal ranges of SIDnl (SIDnl 7, and SIDnl