This article is part of a series on Acid Base, edited by Dr John Kellum.

Review

Bench-to-bedside review: Fundamental principles of acid-base physiology

Howard E Corey

Director, The Children's Kidney Center of New Jersey, Atlantic Health System, Morristown, New Jersey, USA

author email corresponding author email

Critical Care 2005, 9:184-192doi:10.1186/cc2985

Published:	29 November 2004

Abstract

Complex acid–base disorders arise frequently in critically ill patients, especially in those with multiorgan failure. In order to diagnose and treat these disorders better, some intensivists have abandoned traditional theories in favor of revisionist models of acid–base balance. With claimed superiority over the traditional approach, the new methods have rekindled debate over the fundmental principles of acid–base physiology. In order to shed light on this controversy, we review the derivation and application of new models of acid–base balance.