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American journal of veterinary research1998; 59(7); 881-887;

Comparison of anion gap and strong ion gap as predictors of unmeasured strong ion concentration in plasma and serum from horses.

Abstract: To compare the accuracy of anion gap (AG) and strong ion gap (SIG) for predicting unmeasured strong ion concentration in plasma and serum from horses. Methods: 6 well-trained Standardbred horses undergoing high-intensity exercise (experimental study) and 78 horses and ponies that underwent i.v. administration of lactic acid or endotoxin, and endurance, submaximal, or high-intensity exercise. Methods: Anion gap was calculated as AG = (Na+ + K+) - (Cl- + HCO3-), and SIG was calculated, using the simplified strong ion model, whereby SIG (mEq/L) = 2.24 x total protein (g/dl)/(1 + 10(6.65-pH)) - AG. The relation between AG or SIG and plasma lactate concentration was evaluated, using linear regression analysis. Results: Linear relations between plasma lactate concentration and AG and SIG were strong for the experimental study (r2 = 0.960 and 0.966, respectively) and the published studies (r2 = 0.914 and 0.925, respectively). The following relations were derived: AG = 1.00 x plasma lactate + 10.5; SIG = 0.99 x plasma lactate + 2.8. An AG > 15 mEq/L indicated an increased unmeasured anion concentration, whereas a SIG < -2 mEq/L indicated an increased unmeasured strong anion concentration. Conclusions: Anion gap and SIG can be used to predict plasma lactate concentration in horses. AG is accurate and clinically useful for estimating unmeasured strong ion concentration in horses with total protein concentrations within or slightly outside reference range, whereas SIG is more accurate in horses with markedly abnormal total protein concentrations and those of various ages and with various concentrations of albumin, globulin, and phosphate.
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Publication Date: 1998-07-11 PubMed ID: 9659556
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  • Comparative Study
  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This study analyzed the use of anion gap (AG) and strong ion gap (SIG) as indicators of unmeasured strong ion concentration in horse plasma and serum, finding both measures can accurately predict plasma lactate concentration, with different measures proving more precise under certain conditions.

Objective and Methods

  • The research aimed to compare the accuracy of anion gap (AG) and strong ion gap (SIG) when predicting the unmeasured strong ion concentration in plasma and serum from horses. This is significant as these two measures are often used to assess the extent of metabolic disturbances in equine patients.
  • The experiments involved six well-trained standardbred horses involved in intense exercise and 78 horses and ponies given intravenous administration of lactic acid or endotoxin, or subjected to endurance or varied intensity exercise.
  • AG is calculated from the concentrations of common ions in blood (sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate), while SIG is calculated using a simplified model that takes into account total protein concentration and pH value.
  • The relationship between AG or SIG and plasma lactate concentration, a significant biochemical marker noting tissue oxygen deficit, was evaluated using linear regression analysis.

Results

  • The study revealed strong linear relations between plasma lactate concentration and both AG and SIG for the experimental study group and the other varied groups. This suggests that both AG and SIG effectively predict lactate levels.
  • It was derived that AG equals the amount of plasma lactate plus 10.5, and SIG equals the amount of plasma lactate plus 2.8.
  • An AG greater than 15 mEq/L indicated a higher unmeasured anion concentration and a SIG less than -2 mEq/L pointed to a higher unmeasured strong anion concentration. This provides practical threshold values to use in clinical settings.

Conclusion

  • Both measures, AG and SIG, can be used to predict plasma lactate concentration in horses, enabling effective monitoring of metabolic disturbances.
  • AG is accurate and clinically useful for estimating unmeasured strong ion concentration in horses with total protein concentrations within or slightly outside the reference range. In contrast, SIG was found more accurate in horses with either markedly abnormal total protein concentrations, or varied concentrations of proteins like albumin, globulin, and phosphate.

Cite This Article

APA
Constable PD, Hinchcliff KW, Muir WW. (1998). Comparison of anion gap and strong ion gap as predictors of unmeasured strong ion concentration in plasma and serum from horses. Am J Vet Res, 59(7), 881-887.

Publication

American journal of veterinary research
ISSN: 0002-9645
NlmUniqueID: 0375011
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 59
Issue: 7
Pages: 881-887

Researcher Affiliations

Constable, P D
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana 61801, USA.
Hinchcliff, K W
    Muir, W W

      MeSH Terms

      • Acid-Base Equilibrium
      • Animals
      • Bicarbonates / blood
      • Chlorides / blood
      • Electrolytes / blood
      • Endotoxins / toxicity
      • Horses / blood
      • Lactates / blood
      • Lactic Acid / pharmacology
      • Physical Conditioning, Animal
      • Physical Endurance
      • Potassium / blood
      • Regression Analysis
      • Reproducibility of Results
      • Sodium / blood

      Citations

      This article has been cited 13 times.
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        doi: 10.1111/jvim.14803pubmed: 28833697google scholar: lookup
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      7. Trefz FM, Constable PD, Lorenz I. Quantitative physicochemical analysis of acid-base balance and clinical utility of anion gap and strong ion gap in 806 neonatal calves with diarrhea. J Vet Intern Med 2015 Mar-Apr;29(2):678-87.
        doi: 10.1111/jvim.12556pubmed: 25818222google scholar: lookup
      8. Ostermann C, Linde S, Siegling-Vlitakis C, Reinhold P. Evaluation of pulmonary dysfunctions and acid-base imbalances induced by Chlamydia psittaci in a bovine model of respiratory infection. Multidiscip Respir Med 2014;9(1):10.
        doi: 10.1186/2049-6958-9-10pubmed: 24517577google scholar: lookup
      9. Gomez DE, Lofstedt J, Stämpfli HR, Wichtel M, Muirhead T, McClure JT. Contribution of unmeasured anions to acid-base disorders and its association with altered demeanor in 264 calves with neonatal diarrhea. J Vet Intern Med 2013 Nov-Dec;27(6):1604-12.
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        doi: 10.1186/cc2910pubmed: 15566615google scholar: lookup
      12. Wilkins PA, Wong D, Slovis NM, Collins N, Barr BS, MacKenzie C, De Solis CN, Castagnetti C, Mariella J, Burns T, Perkins G, Delvescovo B, Sanchez LC, Kemper AM, Magdesian KG, Bedenice D, Taylor SD, Gold J, Dunkel B, Pranzo G, Constable PD. The Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome and Predictors of Infection and Mortality in 1068 Critically Ill Newborn Foals. J Vet Intern Med 2025 Mar-Apr;39(2):e70004.
        doi: 10.1111/jvim.70004pubmed: 40091577google scholar: lookup
      13. Titotto AC, Santos MM, Ramos GV, Adão MDS, Benvenuto GV, De Lacerda LCC, Lisbôa JAN, Lacerda-Neto JC. Effect of Lactate Minimum Speed-Guided Training on the Fluid, Electrolyte and Acid-Base Status of Horses. Animals (Basel) 2023 Oct 21;13(20).
        doi: 10.3390/ani13203290pubmed: 37894014google scholar: lookup
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