Parameters
Parameters
-
6 July 2026DFA2
DFA alpha2: long-term fractal correlations of heart rate.
-
9 October 2024140 SI Shock index
Shock index (heart rate / systolic pressure): normal range, the 0.9 threshold, causes and limitations.
-
9 October 202433 Lactic acid
Lactate: normal level, hyperlactataemia and lactic acidosis, types A and B, and its role in sepsis and shock.
-
30 July 202443 Glycogen.
Glycogen: glucose storage in liver and muscle, hormonal control, diabetes, hypoglycaemia and glycogen storage diseases.
-
14 May 2024139 Actual blood supply index (IK)
Actual blood supply index (Starr formula): calculation, age-dependent reference values and interpretation.
-
13 May 202421 Energy Expenditure
Energy expenditure: resting value per kilogram, METs, physical activity level and reference measurement methods.
-
13 May 202436-37 β-lipoprotein
Beta-lipoproteins and apolipoprotein B: counting atherogenic particles, ESC/EAS apoB targets and older test methods.
-
13 May 202439 Very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL)
VLDL: triglyceride-rich lipoproteins from the liver, how VLDL cholesterol is estimated, remnant cholesterol and risk.
-
13 May 202442 Glucose
Blood glucose: normal fasting values, prediabetes and diabetes criteria (ADA), hypoglycaemia and emergency signs.
-
12 May 2024126 Transferrin (TFN)
Transferrin: iron transport protein, reference range, transferrin saturation, iron deficiency and overload.
-
12 May 2024127 Urine specific gravity (USG)
Urine specific gravity: normal range 1.005–1.030, dilute and concentrated urine and their causes.
-
12 May 2024128 Chloride (Cl)
Chloride: normal about 98–107 mmol/L; role in acid–base balance, anion gap, causes of high and low chloride.
-
12 May 2024129 Ceruloplasmin (CP)
Ceruloplasmin: copper-carrying protein, Wilson disease diagnostic thresholds and other causes of abnormal values.
-
12 May 2024130 Alkaline phosphatase (ALP)
Alkaline phosphatase: liver or bone origin, causes of high and low ALP, role of GGT.
-
12 May 2024131 Intracranial pressure (ICP)
Intracranial pressure: normal range, cerebral perfusion pressure, treatment thresholds and causes of raised ICP.
-
12 May 202434 Urea
Urea: end product of protein metabolism; kidney, pre-renal and dietary causes of high urea, and low urea.
-
12 May 2024133 Serum albumin (ALB)
Serum albumin: functions, causes of low albumin (liver, kidney, inflammation, nutrition) and prognostic meaning.
-
12 May 2024134 Serum globulin (GLB)
Serum globulins: immunoglobulins and other fractions, polyclonal vs monoclonal increase, antibody deficiency.
-
9 May 202410, 11 Beginning of clotting, End of clotting
Whole-blood clotting time (Lee–White): beginning and end of clotting, normal range, causes and limitations.
-
9 May 202414 Magnesium (Mg)
Magnesium: normal 0.70–1.05 mmol/L; causes of deficiency (PPIs, diuretics, alcohol), links with potassium, calcium and arrhythmia.
-
9 May 202417 pH of gastric juice
Gastric juice pH: fasting values, effect of meals, high and low acidity and their consequences.
-
9 May 2024123 Color index of blood
Colour index of blood (conventional norm 0.85–1.05): hypo- and hyperchromic anaemias and its relation to MCH.
-
9 May 202418 pH of blood
Blood pH: normal range 7.35–7.45, bicarbonate buffer and the four primary acid–base disorders.
-
9 May 2024125 Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
BUN: blood urea nitrogen, conversion to urea, BUN/creatinine ratio and causes of abnormal values.
-
8 May 2024110 Interval PR
PR interval: normal 120–200 ms, first-degree and Wenckebach AV block, short PR and WPW pattern.
-
8 May 2024111 Interval QT
QT interval: heart-rate correction, normal and prolonged QTc, causes of long and short QT and torsade risk.
-
8 May 2024112 Interval QRS
QRS complex: ventricular depolarisation, normal width, bundle branch blocks and other causes of a wide QRS.
-
8 May 2024113 Left ventricular Stroke Work Index (LVSWI)
Left ventricular stroke work index: formula, commonly quoted range and its prognostic value in cardiogenic shock.
-
8 May 20245,9 Segmented and Band neutrophiles
Segmented and band neutrophils — first defence against bacteria, left shift, neutrophilia and grades of neutropenia.
-
8 May 20246-Erythrocyte sedimentation rate ESR
ESR — non-specific inflammation marker: age-adjusted limits, causes of high and low values, ESR versus CRP.
-
8 May 2024116 Width of the third ventricle of cerebrum (TVW)
Width of the third ventricle: measurement by ultrasound, conventional range, hydrocephalus and brain atrophy.
-
8 May 2024117 Cardiac work (CW)
Cardiac work and cardiac power output: formula, typical resting value and the 0.53 W threshold in cardiogenic shock.
-
8 May 2024119 Estimated creatinine clearance rate (eClCr)
Creatinine clearance (Cockcroft–Gault): formula, use for drug dosing, strengths and limitations.
-
7 May 2024107 Rate of CO2 production
Rate of CO₂ production: metabolic origin, respiratory quotient and importance in ventilated patients and nutrition.
-
7 May 2024108 Vascular Permeability Index
Vascular permeability index: Starling forces, glycocalyx, pulmonary permeability index and causes of oedema.
-
7 May 2024109 Stroke volume (SV)
Stroke volume: normal values, preload, afterload and contractility, measurement methods and causes of changes.
-
7 May 2024118 eGFR MDRD
eGFR (MDRD): how kidney filtration is estimated from creatinine, KDIGO GFR categories, limitations and why GFR matters.
-
6 May 2024100 Oxygen consumption per kg of body weight or metabolic equivalent (MET)
Oxygen consumption per kg and METs: definition, activity intensity and fitness as a predictor of mortality.
-
6 May 2024101 O2 consumption (VO2)
Oxygen consumption (VO₂): resting value, VO₂max, the Fick principle and clinical significance.
-
6 May 2024102 Myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO2)
Myocardial oxygen consumption: heart rate, wall tension and contractility, supply–demand balance and angina.
-
6 May 2024103 Oxygen extraction index (O2ER)
Oxygen extraction ratio: normal values, high and low extraction and their meaning in shock and sepsis.
-
6 May 2024104 CO2 elimination (VCO2)
CO₂ elimination (VCO₂): resting value, exercise testing, anaerobic threshold and ventilatory efficiency.
-
6 May 2024105 CO2 in arterial blood
Arterial CO₂ (PaCO₂): normal range, hypocapnia and hypercapnia, and the link with ventilation.
-
6 May 2024106 CO2 venous blood
Venous CO₂: typical values, agreement with arterial values and the venous–arterial CO₂ gap.
-
5 May 202495 Time of single load
Time of single load: recovery after exercise and heart rate recovery as a prognostic marker.
-
5 May 202496 Respiratory exchange ratio (RER)
Respiratory exchange ratio: fuel use, maximal effort in exercise testing and nutrition in intensive care.
-
5 May 202497 Transportation of oxygen(DO2)
Oxygen delivery (DO₂): formula, normal values, the oxygen delivery chain and causes of reduced delivery.
-
5 May 202498 Quantity of assimilated oxygen on 100 gr. of cerebral tissue
Cerebral oxygen consumption per 100 g: brain metabolism, measurement and causes of low and high values.
-
5 May 202499 Oxygen saturation in arterial blood (SaO2)
Arterial oxygen saturation: target ranges, pulse oximetry limitations and causes of hypoxaemia.
-
2 May 202490 Minute ventilation (VE)
Minute ventilation: tidal volume × rate, resting values, hypoventilation and hyperventilation.
-
2 May 202491 Functional residual capacity (FRC)
Functional residual capacity: lung volume after normal expiration, measurement, hyperinflation and restriction.
-
2 May 202492 Peak expiratory flow (PEF)
Peak expiratory flow: measurement technique, personal best and asthma action plan zones.
-
2 May 202493 Test Tiffeneau
Tiffeneau index (FEV1/FVC): airflow obstruction, lower limit of normal versus the GOLD 0.70 ratio.
-
2 May 202494 Working rate of oxygen consumption
Working rate of oxygen consumption: dependence on oxygenation, haemoglobin and thyroid hormones.
-
1 May 202431 Creatinine
Creatinine: the main blood test of kidney function, reference values, causes of high and low levels, acute kidney injury.
-
1 May 202432 Dopamine β-hydroxylase (DBH)
Dopamine β-hydroxylase: enzyme forming noradrenaline, marker of sympathetic activity and DBH deficiency.
-
1 May 202478 Pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR)
Pulmonary vascular resistance: formula, the 2 Wood unit limit, pulmonary hypertension and right heart catheterisation.
-
1 May 202479 Central venous pressure.
Central venous pressure: typical values, measurement, causes of low and high CVP and its limits as a fluid guide.
-
1 May 202480 Time of systemic circulation
Systemic circulation time: mean transit time through the body, indicator dilution and causes of faster or slower circulation.
-
1 May 202481 Time of pulmonary circulation
Pulmonary circulation time: transit of blood through the lungs, how it is measured and what prolongs or shortens it.
-
1 May 202482 Autoregulation of Cerebral Blood
Cerebral blood flow per 100 g: normal value, autoregulation, CO₂ reactivity and ischaemic thresholds.
-
1 May 202483, 84 Blood flow per 1gr of thyroid gland, Blood flow per 1gr of cerebral tissue
Blood flow per gram of thyroid and brain tissue: perfusion intensity, Graves disease and the effects of thyroid hormones.
-
1 May 202449 Thyroxine (T4),Total
Total thyroxine (T4): thyroid hormone action, reference range, binding proteins and signs of hypo- and hyperthyroidism.
-
1 May 202485 Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure
Cerebrospinal fluid pressure: CSF production, lumbar opening pressure, causes of raised and low pressure.
-
1 May 202447 Testosterone
Testosterone: functions, morning reference range in men, causes of low and high levels and how it is measured.
-
1 May 202448 Total estrogen.
Oestrogens: estradiol, estrone and estriol, changes during the menstrual cycle and causes of low and high levels.
-
1 May 202489 Vital capacity of lungs (VC)
Vital capacity: lung volumes, lower limit of normal, restrictive and neuromuscular causes of reduced VC.
-
30 April 202464 71 Myocardial blood flow.
Myocardial (coronary) blood flow: about 4% of cardiac output, regulation, coronary reserve and ischaemia.
-
30 April 202465 72 Muscular blood flow
Skeletal muscle blood flow: about 20% of cardiac output at rest, exercise hyperaemia and peripheral artery disease.
-
30 April 202466 73 Cerebral blood flow
Cerebral blood flow: about 13–15% of cardiac output, autoregulation, the role of CO₂ and stroke.
-
30 April 202467 74 Hepatoportal blood flow
Hepatoportal blood flow: dual blood supply of the liver, the hepatic arterial buffer response and portal hypertension.
-
30 April 202468 75 Nephritic blood flow
Renal blood flow: about 20% of cardiac output, glomerular filtration, autoregulation and acute kidney injury.
-
30 April 202469 76 Skin blood flow
Skin blood flow: role in temperature regulation, sympathetic control, heat illness and Raynaud phenomenon.
-
30 April 202470 77 Blood flow of other organs
Blood flow of other tissues: bone, fat, glands and connective tissue, calculated as the remainder of cardiac output.
-
30 April 202422-25 AST, ALT
AST and ALT: liver enzymes, degrees of elevation and causes (fatty liver, hepatitis, alcohol, medicines), when to seek care.
-
30 April 202426 De Ritis ratio (ASTALT)
De Ritis ratio AST/ALT: what values below 1 and above 2 suggest about the type of liver injury.
-
30 April 202427-29 Bilirubin
Bilirubin: total, direct and indirect; jaundice, Gilbert syndrome, haemolysis, liver disease and bile duct obstruction.
-
30 April 202430 Protein, Total
Total protein: albumin and globulins, causes of low and high values, when protein electrophoresis is needed.
-
30 April 202486 Fibrinogen
Fibrinogen: clotting factor I and acute-phase protein, normal range, causes of low and high levels.
-
29 April 202452 Acetylcholinesterase of erythrocytes (AChE)
Erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase: red cell enzyme, marker of organophosphate exposure and its interpretation.
-
29 April 202455 Creatine kinase MM (CK-MM)
Creatine kinase MM: skeletal muscle isoenzyme, causes of raised CK, rhabdomyolysis and statins.
-
29 April 202456 Creatine kinase MB (CK-MB)
Creatine kinase MB: cardiac isoenzyme, time course after myocardial infarction and comparison with troponin.
-
29 April 202457 Comprehensive cell mitosis regulation factor
Comprehensive cell mitosis regulation factor: a computed index named after the cyclin B–CDK1 mitosis-promoting factor; cell-cycle biology, conventional range and limits of interpretation.
-
29 April 202458 Plasma density
Blood and plasma density: typical values, units used in this application, measurement and causes of haemodilution and haemoconcentration.
-
29 April 202459 Volume of circulatory blood
Circulating blood volume: normal values per kilogram, the Nadler formula, indicator dilution and causes of hypovolaemia.
-
29 April 202460 Cardiac output
Cardiac output: stroke volume × heart rate, normal values, thermodilution and Fick methods, low and high output states.
-
29 April 202461 Oxygenation velocity of RBC
Red cell oxygenation rate: oxygen uptake in lung capillaries, the haemoglobin–oxygen dissociation curve and what slows oxygenation.
-
29 April 202462 Effective diffusion area of the erythrocyte flow (EPR)
Effective diffusion area of the erythrocyte flow (EPR, m²/min): red cell membrane surface passing through the lungs per minute, how it is calculated and its clinical significance.
-
28 April 202451 Acetylcholine (ACh)
Acetylcholine: neurotransmitter of muscles and the parasympathetic system, Alzheimer disease and myasthenia gravis.
-
28 April 202454 Tyrosine
Tyrosine: amino acid precursor of catecholamines, thyroid hormones and melanin; PKU and tyrosinaemias.
-
28 April 202463 Deficit of circulatory blood
Circulating blood volume deficit: ATLS classes of haemorrhage, causes of hypovolaemia and the body’s response.
-
27 April 202450 Amylase
Amylase: pancreatic and salivary enzyme, acute pancreatitis criteria and other causes of raised amylase.
-
26 April 20247 Eosinophils.
Eosinophils — allergy, parasites, drug reactions; grades of eosinophilia and hypereosinophilia and organ risks.
-
26 April 2024138 Colloid-Osmotic Pressure (COP)
Colloid osmotic pressure: albumin, Starling forces, the revised Starling principle and causes of oedema.
-
26 April 202444-46 Water metabolism
Water metabolism: total, intracellular and extracellular body water, measurement, dehydration and fluid excess.
-
26 April 202487 Prothrombin index
Prothrombin time, prothrombin index and INR: normal values, warfarin targets and causes of prolonged clotting.
-
25 April 2024124 Cystatin C (CysC). mgl
Cystatin C: kidney filtration marker, eGFR equations, KDIGO GFR categories and non-renal influences.
-
25 April 20243 Lymphocytes. LYMPH
Lymphocytes — B, T and NK cells of adaptive immunity: percentage vs absolute count, causes of lymphocytosis and lymphopenia.
-
25 April 20248 Monocytes.MONO
Monocytes — precursors of tissue macrophages: causes of monocytosis, when persistent values need a haematologist.
-
23 April 2024TIMI
TIMI risk index for myocardial infarction: formula from heart rate, age and systolic pressure, and prediction of 30-day mortality.
-
22 April 2024132 Atherogenic coefficient (AC)
Atherogenic coefficient (TC − HDL-C)/HDL-C: calculation, conventional norm below 3, relation to non-HDL cholesterol and the Castelli index.
-
22 April 2024SH groups
SH (thiol) groups: glutathione and protein thiols, thiol/disulfide balance and oxidative stress.
-
21 April 202420 Basal pressure of Oddis sphincter mm Hg
Basal pressure of the sphincter of Oddi: manometry, the 40 mmHg threshold and sphincter of Oddi dysfunction.
-
18 April 2024135 Atherogenic index of plasma (AIP)
Atherogenic index of plasma, log(TG/HDL-C): calculation, proposed risk categories and link with small dense LDL.
-
7 August 2022RSA
Respiratory sinus arrhythmia: breathing-related heart rate changes and vagal tone.
-
11 February 2020MAP
Mean arterial pressure: formula, normal range, invasive measurement and the 65 mmHg target in shock.
-
11 February 2020MCV
MCV — mean red cell volume (80–100 fL): how it classifies anaemia into microcytic, normocytic and macrocytic, and the causes of each.
-
11 February 2020MCH
MCH — mean haemoglobin per red cell (27–31 pg): hypochromia, high values and laboratory artefacts.
-
11 February 2020MCHC
MCHC — mean haemoglobin concentration in red cells (32–36 g/dL): low in iron deficiency, high in spherocytosis or artefact.
-
10 July 2019Ellipse
Poincare plot ellipse area S = pi SD1 SD2: overall heart rate variability.
-
7 July 2019PRi
PR interval: normal 120–200 ms, first-degree and Wenckebach AV block, short PR and WPW pattern.
-
7 July 2019QRSc
QRS complex: ventricular depolarisation, normal width, bundle branch blocks and other causes of a wide QRS.
-
7 July 2019QTi
QT interval: heart-rate correction, normal and prolonged QTc, causes of long and short QT and torsade risk.
-
7 July 2019STs
ST segment: J point, ischaemic ST elevation and depression thresholds and other causes of ST changes.
-
7 July 2019STi
ST (JT) interval: from the J point to the end of T, QT minus QRS, and its use when the QRS is wide.
-
7 July 2019Tw
T wave: ventricular repolarisation, normal direction by lead, peaked, inverted and flat T waves and alternans.
-
7 July 2019QTc
QTc: heart-rate corrected QT interval, correction formulas, normal values and the risks of long and short QT.
-
7 July 2019CD
Correlation dimension D2: complexity of heart-rhythm regulation.
-
6 July 2019MTw
T-wave morphology analysis: TCRT, morphology dispersion and PCA ratio for repolarisation and risk assessment.
-
6 July 2019K
Potassium: normal 3.5–5.0 mmol/L; causes and dangers of hypo- and hyperkalaemia, ECG effects and false results.
-
6 July 2019Na
Sodium: normal 135–145 mmol/L; hyponatraemia grades and causes, hypernatraemia and why correction must be gradual.
-
6 July 2019Ca
Calcium: total and ionised calcium, albumin correction, causes of hyper- and hypocalcaemia and when to seek help.
-
2 July 2019CHOL
Total cholesterol: how cholesterol travels in lipoproteins, reference values, causes of high and low levels, familial hypercholesterolaemia.
-
2 July 2019BCI
Blood carbohydrate index: glucose tolerance indicator, normal range 55.2-76.8, risks of high and low values.
-
2 July 2019RRI
RR intervals: the beat-to-beat series behind heart rate variability, measurement and artefacts.
-
2 July 2019PW
P wave: atrial depolarisation, normal duration and amplitude, signs of atrial enlargement and absent P waves.
-
2 July 2019PRs
PR segment: AV-node delay, the ECG baseline and PR depression in acute pericarditis.
-
1 July 2019VLF
VLF power: very slow heart rate oscillations, slow regulation and prognosis.
-
1 July 2019LF
LF power: 0.1 Hz baroreflex oscillations and mixed autonomic modulation.
-
1 July 2019HF
HF power: respiratory sinus arrhythmia and vagal activity.
-
1 July 2019TP
Total power: overall spectral heart rate variability and the frequency bands VLF, LF and HF.
-
1 July 2019LDL-C
LDL cholesterol: how LDL causes atherosclerosis, ESC/EAS targets by cardiovascular risk, Friedewald formula and treatment.
-
1 July 2019HDL-C
HDL cholesterol: reverse cholesterol transport, risk thresholds for men and women, why very high HDL is not always protective.
-
30 June 2019TG
Triglycerides: desirable levels, fasting vs non-fasting tests, causes of hypertriglyceridaemia, cardiovascular and pancreatitis risk.
-
30 June 2019SE
Sample entropy: regularity and complexity of the heartbeat series.
-
29 June 2019LFHF
LF/HF ratio: shape of the heart rate spectrum and limits of the sympatho-vagal balance concept.
-
24 June 2019MeanRR
Mean RR interval: average time between heartbeats and its relation to heart rate.
-
24 June 2019MinRR
Minimum RR interval: shortest beat-to-beat interval and highest instantaneous heart rate.
-
24 June 2019MaxRR
Maximum RR interval: longest beat-to-beat interval, vagal slowing and pauses.
-
24 June 2019SD1
SD1: Poincare plot width, short-term vagal variability (RMSSD/sqrt2).
-
24 June 2019SD2
SD2: Poincare plot length, long-term overall heart rate variability.
-
24 June 2019nLF
Normalised LF power (LF n.u.): relative share of low-frequency oscillations.
-
24 June 2019nHF
Normalised HF power (HF n.u.): relative share of respiratory vagal oscillations.
-
14 June 2019DFA1
DFA alpha1: short-term fractal correlations, prognosis at rest and aerobic threshold during exercise.
-
11 June 2019HRVti
HRV triangular index: geometric measure of overall variability in 24-hour recordings.
-
11 June 2019sdHR
Standard deviation of heart rate: overall heart rate variability in beats per minute.
-
11 June 2019RMSSD
RMSSD: main time-domain index of vagal activity, norms and interpretation.
-
11 June 2019pNN50
pNN50: percentage of successive NN intervals differing by more than 50 ms.
-
5 June 2019AR index
AR, autonomic rate index 1/(Mo x dX): meaning, calculation and interpretation.
-
5 June 2019AB index
AB, autonomic balance index (AMo/dX): balance of sympathetic and parasympathetic regulation.
-
5 June 2019SER index
SER, coefficient of variation CV = SDNN/mean NN x 100%: relative heart rate variability.
-
5 June 2019ASER index
ASER, amplitude of the mode (AMo): conditional indicator of sympathetic activity.
-
5 June 2019FCS index
FCS, mode (Mo): the most probable level of functioning of the cardiovascular system.
-
5 June 2019MARI
MARI, mean absolute difference of successive RR intervals: beat-to-beat vagal variability.
-
5 June 2019TINN
TINN: width of the triangular interpolation of the NN interval histogram.
-
4 June 2019SDNN
SDNN: the main measure of heart rate variability, its norms by recording length and age, and what low values mean.
-
4 June 2019ARP index
ARP, index of adequacy of regulatory processes (AMo/Mo): meaning, calculation and interpretation.
-
3 June 2019Hct
Haematocrit: the share of blood volume made up of red cells, its norms, causes of low and high values and the risk of thick blood.
-
2 June 2019SI
Baevsky stress index: degree of centralisation of heart-rhythm control, calculation, norms and stress levels.
-
2 June 2019BMr
Basal metabolic rate: components of daily energy expenditure, the Mifflin–St Jeor equation and factors that change BMR.
-
2 June 2019REE
Resting energy expenditure: indirect calorimetry, the Weir equation, respiratory quotient and clinical significance.
-
2 June 2019SBP
Systolic blood pressure: ESC 2024 categories, correct measurement, causes of high and low values and when to seek care.
-
2 June 2019DBP
Diastolic blood pressure: ESC 2024 categories, pulse pressure, causes of high values and warning signs.
-
2 June 2019HGB
Haemoglobin: oxygen transport, reference ranges, causes and risks of anaemia and erythrocytosis.
-
2 June 2019PLT
Platelets: how they stop bleeding, normal counts, causes and dangers of thrombocytopenia and thrombocytosis.
-
2 June 2019RBC
Red blood cell count: life cycle of erythrocytes, red cell indices and what low or high counts mean.
-
2 June 2019WBC
White blood cell count: types of leukocytes, the differential, causes of leukocytosis and neutropenia and warning signs.
-
1 June 2019BMI
Body mass index: WHO categories, Asian cut-offs, limitations and health risks of low and high BMI.
-
31 May 2019HI
Health index: an integral indicator from 1 to 100 that changes in real time.
-
30 May 2019HR
Heart rate: regulation, normal values, tachycardia, bradycardia and cardiovascular risk.
170 articles in total.