Base deficit accurately reflects the tissue perfusion changes according to haemorrhagic shock in a pig model. Lactate correlates closely with base deficit/excess.

The degree of metabolic acidosis may be measured by serum base deficit.

Admission base deficit / excess is a clinically useful early marker of tissue hypoperfusion in trauma patients.

Increasing base deficit, as a marker of hypooperfusion, is significantly associated with coaguloapthy.