What does base deficit indicate

We recommend that when interpreting the base.A decrease in the total concentration of blood buffer base, indicative of metabolic acidosis or compensated respiratory alkalosis.Base deficit is the amount of base (in mmol) required to titrate a liter of whole arterial blood to a ph of 7.40.What does base deficit indicate?Base deficit with elevated anion gap indicates addition of acid (e.g., ketoacidosis).

Base deficit as a measure of metabolic acidosis was first proposed by anderson and engel in 1960[1].The anion gap is maintained because bicarbonate is exchanged for chloride during excretion.If the number is positive it is referred to as a base excess.