VIN.com Acid-Base and Blood Gas Interpretation
This repository of 10 acid-base and arterial blood gas examples is for advanced practitioners only. At first glance, the diseases of the patients seem commonplace (pancreatic duct adenocarcinoma, mitral insufficiency, projectile vomiting), but the realization that the patients are from a veterinary website and mostly consist of Golden Retrievers and Great Danes quickly becomes apparent. Take a quick look at the normal blood gas values (which for dogs at altitude in Fort Collins, Colorado are quite hypocapnic). If one cannot suspend disbelief, multiply the ages of the dogs by seven and pretend they are human patients. The cases are well explained and the answers to the questions popup with a quick mouseover of the link called “answer.”
Stony Brook Hospital Nephrology Website
This is a bare-bones review of traditional acid-base medicine filled with visual aids all in one consecutive page. This wins no points for frills, but certainly garners some for simplicity and accessibility. The numerous graphs, charts, figures and tables articulate the points and help to accentuate the anatomical physiology of acid-base perhaps better than any of the other websites listed here. The nephrological bent also provides a different viewpoint that complements the other different paradigms posted here. In general, it is a good starting point to become conversant with acid-base topics.
MedCalc Acid-Base Calculator
Java Acid-Base Calculator
Medcalc 3000
The combination of these three websites afford the visitor a quick computerized interpretation of a given arterial blood gas using long-established equations, freeing white coat pockets from the burden of carrying laminated cards with the same information. The first acid-base calculator (MedCalc) requires the input of the pH, PCO2 and the bicarbonate from an arterial blood gas; it then gives a refreshingly thorough output of the various possibilities and normal compensations for that particular combination of labs. For those with a graphical penchant, the Java Acid-Base calculator automates the well-known acid-base nomogram and adds a visual flavor to the analysis. The last calculator helps to dissect one of the more difficult acid-base concepts for residents to grasp, the “delta-gap.” These are all free, and while they would be ideal for transfer to a PDA, they do not support this functionality at this time.