VBG Acid–Base Explorer

Available measurements

VBG

Enter at least one value. Any two of pH, PvCO₂, and blood-gas HCO₃ allow algebraic completion and qualified arterial estimates. Same-sample saturation selects Farkas for Peripheral, or for Unknown under a peripheral assumption. Central uses the fixed correction.

Sample type Measured venous pHMeasured PvCO₂Blood gas HCO₃ mmol/LReported venous base excess mmol/L · optionalSame-sample venous O₂ saturation — optional

Blood gas HCO₃ is the actual bicarbonate reported or calculated for this gas, not standardized bicarbonate.

If reported standard base excess is absent, sufficient gas values enable calculated venous SBE, assuming normothermia (37°C). Same-sample venous saturation is not SpO₂ or PO₂.

Optional CMP/BMP

Na, Cl, and serum total CO₂ enable anion gap; albumin adds its correction. Same-time chemistry can add a venous Stewart partition.

Sodium mmol/LChloride mmol/LBMP HCO₃ mmol/LAlbumin explicit unitAlbumin unitLactate mmol/LChemistry relationship to VBG

BMP HCO₃ means BMP/CMP chemistry total CO₂, distinct from Blood gas HCO₃. Lactate remains a measured chemistry value.

VBG Acid–Base Explorer

Available measurements

Interpretation summary

What’s known

Venous gas

Serum chemistry

Best guess

What remains uncertain

Useful additional inputs