The slide rule: a new method for the assessment of acid-base equilibrium disorders.
OBJECTIVE
Maps and nomograms are routinely used to evaluate acid-base equilibrium (ABE), but often require previous skilled practice and time to be used in the clinical setting; moreover, some definite alterations may be missed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the new slide rule (patented by Authors) for the rapid, precise and complete assessment and diagnosis of altered blood gas analysis (ABG) parameters and compare it to traditional methods.


METHODS
Once pH, bicarbonate and PaCO(2) values are known by arterial blood gas analysis (ABG), the slide rule can calculate, show and instantly diagnose the related alteration, including possible mixed partial compensated ones. In this regard, 330 patients coming from 6 (4 national and 2 foreign) clinics were studied; each patient underwent evaluation of ABG alterations using traditional methods and the slide rule immediately thereafter.


RESULTS
The results of consecutive evaluations on involved patients made by specialists in all clinics were in agreement; nonetheless, the slide rule was far more user friendly, rapid and complete in the ABE alterations' diagnostic range, in comparison with traditional methods.


CONCLUSIONS
All involved specialists confirmed that the new slide rule was able to rapidly diagnose ABE alterations, including mixed or partially compensated ones that may be missed by traditional methods.
Di Iorio
C
C
Unit of Anesthesiology and Postsurgical Intensive Care, Department of General and Specialistic Surgical Sciences, A. Cardarelli Hospital, Naples, Italy.
Rufolo
L
L
Melillo
E M
EM
Granata
A
A
Melillo
G
G
D000136:Acid-Base Equilibrium / Q000502:physiology*; D001639:Bicarbonates / Q000097:blood; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
D001639:Bicarbonates; D002245:Carbon Dioxide