A computer program for the multivariate and graphical monitoring of acid-base data in an intensive care unit.
Monitoring the arterial acid-base status of ICU patients is done by measuring and calculating the acid-base variables pH, the partial pressure of carbon-dioxide (PCO2) and the bicarbonate-ion concentration ([HCO-3]). Univariate normal reference ranges exist for these values. However, it is well known that an exact linear relationship exists between pH, the logarithm of PCO2 and the logarithm of [HCO-3] values. We developed a computer program for the multivariate evaluation and graphical monitoring of these values in an intensive care setting that takes this intrinsic two-dimensionality into account. A composite index is introduced for the monitoring of all three laboratory values. Moreover, using this index, a multivariate statistical reference region based on an unselected population of ICU patients was derived.
Hekking
M
M
Department of Medical Informatics, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Lindemans
J
J
Gelsema
E S
ES
D000136:Acid-Base Equilibrium; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000032:analysis; D003196:Computer Graphics; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008954:Models, Biological; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000379:methods*; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012984:Software
D002245:Carbon Dioxide