What does a high anion gap mean Meaning and Definition
What does a high anion gap mean
Pronunciation
(/ˌeɪ.ɒn.i.ɒn ˈɡæp/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A high anion gap is a laboratory test result, typically measured in milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L), that indicates the concentration of anions in the blood that cannot be accounted for by the concentration of chloride, bicarbonate, and other measured anions, often a sign of metabolic acidosis.
Examples
- The patient’s blood work showed a high anion gap, prompting the doctor to investigate possible causes of metabolic acidosis.
- The emergency physician was alerted to a high anion gap in the patient’s lab results, indicating severe ketoacidosis.
Synonyms
- Metabolic acidosis
- Ketosis
Antonyms
- Metabolic alkalosis
- Normocapnia
Etymology
The term “anion gap” originated in the 1960s as a way to quantify the difference between the measured anions in the blood and the expected concentration based on the concentration of chloride, bicarbonate, and other major anions.
Usage Notes
When referencing a high anion gap, it is essential to provide the absolute value in milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L) and to specify whether the gap is due to increased unmeasured anions or decreased unmeasured cations.
Cultural References
High anion gap is a term rarely used in non-medical contexts, as it is a specialized term primarily used in medical and scientific communities.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
None
Related Words or Phrases
- Anion
- Cation
- Laboratory test
Collocations
- high anion gap in blood work
- high anion gap in the lab
Frequency of Use
The term “high anion gap” is relatively rare in everyday language, but it is commonly used in medical and scientific discourse to diagnose and understand metabolic acidosis.
Common Misspellings
- Aniongaps
- Aniongap
- What does a high anione gap mean