Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Q: What is the ratio of albumin and an-ion gap drop?

Answer: With 1 gm/dL drop in albumin, an-ion gap drop by 2.5-3 mmol/L. Albumin is a major unmeasured anion. Every one gram decrease in albumin will decrease anion gap by 2.5 to 3 mmoles. In ICU you have to be very vigilant - where low albumin levels are very common - as a high anion gap acidosis in a patient with hypoalbuminaemia may appear as a normal anion gap acidosis.