Bicarbonate Values for Healthy Residents Living in Cities Above 1500 Meters of Altitude: A Theoretical Model and Systematic Review

Abstract Ramirez-Sandoval, Juan C., Maria F. Castilla-Peon, Jose Gotes-Palazuelos, Juan C. Vazquez-Garcia, Michael P. Wagner, Carlos A. Merelo-Arias, Olynka Vega-Vega, Rodolfo Rincon-Pedrero, and Ricardo Correa-Rotter. Bicarbonate values for healthy residents living in cities above 1500 m of altitude: a theoretical model and systematic review. High Alt Med Biol. 17:85–92, 2016.—Plasma bicarbonate (HCO3−) concentration is the main value used to assess the metabolic component of the acid–base status. There is limited information regarding plasma HCO3− values adjusted for altitude for people living in cities at high altitude defined as 1500 m (4921 ft) or more above sea level. Our aim was to estimate the plasma HCO3− concentration in residents of cities at these altitudes using a theoretical model and compare these values with HCO3− values found on a systematic review, and with those venous CO2 values obtained in a sample of 633 healthy individuals living at an altitude of 2240 m (7350 ft). We calculated the...