The myth of the low anion gap
- 2 May 1980
- journal article
- research article
- Published by American Medical Association (AMA) in JAMA
- Vol. 243 (17) , 1737-1738
- https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.243.17.1737
Abstract
Sixty-seven thousand seven hundred forty consecutive sets of electrolyte levels measured at the Massachusetts General Hospital were reviewed, and their anion gaps were calculated. A low anion gap (less than 8 mEq/L) was found in 304 patients (0.8%). Repeatedly low anion gaps were found in only 19 patients. Eight patients were hypoalbuminemic, and eight were hyponatremic. For the entire population, there was a positive correlation between sodium concentration and anion gap. The average anion gap was 16.25 mEq/L. The most common cause of a low anion gap was presumptive laboratory error. (JAMA243:1737-1738, 1980)This publication has 3 references indexed in Scilit:
- The Anion Gap in Asymptomatic Plasma Cell DyscrasiasAnnals of Internal Medicine, 1977
- Gaps--anionic and osmolalJAMA, 1976
- The anion gap: its use in quality control.Clinical Chemistry, 1976