ANION GAP - definition & Types - EASY NOTES

 Anion Gap:

--Na+ & K+ together accounts for 95% of cations and Cl- ,HCO3- accounts for 86% of anions.

--commonly only these electrolytes are measured but there is always a difference between measured cations & measured anions

-- the unmeasured anions like sulfates, phosphates, organic acids contribute to the anion gap.

-- Calculation of anion gap - Difference between (Na+ + K+) & (HCO3- + Cl-)

--Normal anion gap is about 12mmol/l

2 types of anion gap 

1.High Anion Gap Metabolic acidosis(HAGMA)

-- acidosis along with increased anion gap is called as high anion gap metabolic acidosis

--Causes of HAGMA are Lactic Acidosis , Diabetic Keto acidosis 

2.Normal Anion Gap Metabolic Acidosis(NAGMA)

--when there loss of both anions & cations the anion gap is normal but acidosis may be present and it is called as normal anion gap metabolic acidosis

--Causes of NAGMA are - Diarrhea, Renal Tubular Acidosis