ACID-BASE CHEMISTRY OF THE BLOOD - A GENERAL-MODEL

This paper describes a general model of acid-base chemistry of the blo od which can be used to simulate physiological perturbation of acid-ba se chemistry on addition or removal of any buffer acid or base. In par ticular, it is shown how this model can be used to estimate the concen trations of buffer acids and basis when blood is equilibrated to a new pCO(2), when hydrogen ions H+ are added to the blood, or when two poo ls of blood with different concentrations of buffer acids and bases ar e mixed. The ability of the model to represent the addition or removal of any acid or base is a significant increase in functionality above the Siggaard-Andersen nomogram which is limited to simulating the effe cts of equilibrating the blood to a new pCO(2). When used to represent the situation where blood is equilibrated at a new pCO(2) the model e nables calculation of the amount CO2 removed during equilibration, a f urther increase in functionality above the Siggaard-Andersen nomogram. In two experimental situations, equilibrating blood to a new pCO(2) a nd addition of H+ ions, the model predictions are shown to be consiste nt with existing experimental data in the form of the Siggaard-Anderse n nomogram.