The anion gap is a computed parameter that represents the difference between the measured cations (sodium and potassium) and anions (chloride and bicarbonate) in serum. An enlarged anion gap indicates the existence of unmeasured anions, which is commonly associated with metabolic acidosis (Sun et al., 2020). Clinically, anion gap analysis helps to identify various acid-base diseases and guides diagnostic tests. Conditions such as diabetic ketoacidosis or lactic acidosis can enlarge the gap, revealing important information about the underlying pathophysiology and guiding effective therapeutic interventions.
Kabundji, D., Eyassu, M., Musonda, J., & Musekiwa, A. (2023). Severity of and associated triggers for acute asthma attack in patients presenting to an emergency department. General Practitioner, 4(2), 66–72. https://doi.org/10.36303/sagp.0165
Jackson, D. J., & Gern, J. E. (2022). Rhinovirus Infections and Their Roles in Asthma: Etiology and Exacerbations. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice, 10(3), 673–681. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaip.2022.01.006
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