Winters' formula
Winters' formula, named for Dr. R.W. Winters, is a formula used to evaluate respiratory compensation when analyzing acid–base disorders and a metabolic acidosis is present. It can be given as
where HCO3− is given in units of mEq/L and pCO2 will be in units of mmHg.
Winters' formula gives an expected value for the patient's PCO2; the patient's actual PCO2 is then compared to this:
