Ion-selective electrode and anion gap range: What should the anion gap be?

Background: Using flame photometry technique in the 1970s, the normal value of anion gap (AG) was determined to be 12 ± 4 meq/L. However, with introduction of the autoanalyzers using an ion-selective electrode (ISE), the anion gap value has fallen to lower levels.

Methods: A retrospective study of US veterans from a single medical center was performed to determine the value of the anion gap in subjects with normal renal function and normal serum albumin and in patients with lactic acidosis and end-stage renal disease on dialysis.

Obesity is not associated with contrast nephropathy.

Background: Exposure to radiocontrast media may result in acute kidney injury (AKI) or traditionally defined contrast nephropathy (CN), both of which may lead to increased morbidity and mortality. The pathogenesis of both these variants of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) may involve inflammatory mediators that lead to renal impairment. A link between obesity and inflammation has been clearly established, but whether obesity is independently associated with CIN is unknown.