Common Acid-base Disorder Research Articles

Acid-Base Disorders in the Critically Ill Patient.

Acid-base disorders are common in the intensive care unit. By utilizing a systematic approach to their diagnosis, it is easy to identify both simple and mixed disturbances. These disorders are divided into four major categories: metabolic acidosis, metabolic alkalosis, respiratory acidosis, and respiratory alkalosis. Metabolic acidosis is subdivided into anion gap and non-gap acidosis. Distinguishing between these is helpful in establishing the cause of the acidosis. Anion gap acidosis, caused by the accumulation of organic anions from sepsis, diabetes, alcohol use, and numerous drugs and toxins, is usually present on admission to the intensive care unit. Lactic acidosis from decreased delivery or utilization of oxygen is associated with increased mortality. This is likely secondary to the disease process, as opposed to the degree of acidemia. Treatment of an anion gap acidosis is aimed at the underlying disease or removal of the toxin. The use of therapy to normalize the pH is controversial. Non-gap acidoses result from disorders of renal tubular H + transport, decreased renal ammonia secretion, gastrointestinal and kidney losses of bicarbonate, dilution of serum bicarbonate from excessive intravenous fluid administration, or addition of hydrochloric acid. Metabolic alkalosis is the most common acid-base disorder found in patients who are critically ill, and most often occurs after admission to the intensive care unit. Its etiology is most often secondary to the aggressive therapeutic interventions used to treat shock, acidemia, volume overload, severe coagulopathy, respiratory failure, and AKI. Treatment consists of volume resuscitation and repletion of potassium deficits. Aggressive lowering of the pH is usually not necessary. Respiratory disorders are caused by either decreased or increased minute ventilation. The use of permissive hypercapnia to prevent barotrauma has become the standard of care. The use of bicarbonate to correct the acidemia is not recommended. In patients at the extreme, the use of extracorporeal therapies to remove CO 2 can be considered.

The Use of Intravenous Sodium Bicarbonate in the Treatment of Metabolic Acidosis with Septic Shock

Background: Acute metabolic acidemia, defined as a decrease in blood pH originating from a primary reduction in bicarbonate concentration that is accompanied by an appropriate secondary reduction in PaCO2 and is present for up to a few days, can impair hemodynamics and increase mortality, particularly when severe (arterial blood pH<7.20). Septic shock constitutes an important cause of morbidity and mortality in the critically ill patient. The Surviving Sepsis Campaign recommends against treatment with bicarbonate in patients with lactic acidosis due to hypo perfusion when pH is >7.15 but does not explicate what should be done in cases with lower pH. Methodology: Prospective randomized, Double-blind controlled study was conducted in ICU of Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, Bangalore for a period of 4 months (November 2020 to February 2021). Sample size calculation was based on previous prospective, randomized double bind, controlled study by Jung B et al, calculated to be 27 in each group. Results: Mean age of subjects in Study group was 43.7 ± 14.0 years and in control group was 43.3 ± 17.1 years. A statistically significant difference was found in mean final pH and HCO3 levels and with respect to need for ventilation and Multi Organ Dysfunction Syndrome among the groups. Conclusion: Metabolic acidosis is a common acid-base disorder and its management should be directed by the current guidelines of therapy. Rational treatment of metabolic acidosis in sepsis is directed towards addressing the underlying causes of acidosis and optimizing tissue oxygen delivery through optimization of cardiopulmonary parameters. Limitations of the previous studies prevent reaching definite conclusions and further investigations are required in order to ensure the validity of this therapeutic approach.

High anion gap metabolic acidosis as a result of 5-oxoproline

High anion gap metabolic acidosis is a common acid–base disorder encountered in hospitalized patients and more so in the intensive care unit. The most common causes are accumulation of lactate, ketones, and urea and ingestion of certain toxins. In the absence of these, lesser-known etiologies such as accumulation of D-lactate or pyroglutamic acid (PGA) should be suspected. PGA (5-oxoproline) is an endogenous organic acid that can accumulate in serum to cause anionic gap metabolic acidosis. This can occur with inherited defects in enzymes that participate in the y-glutamyl cycle or can be acquired in association with therapeutic paracetamol use, malnutrition, sepsis, antibiotics, and renal impairment. Our case illustrates that prompt recognition of this entity and discontinuation of offending agents such as paracetamol result in rapid recovery, thus reducing the hospital stay.

Acid-Base Disorder in the Patients Visiting the Emergency Department of a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

An acid-base disorder is a change in the normal value of extracellular pH that may result when renal or respiratory function is abnormal or when an acid or base load overwhelms their excretory capacity. Clinical acid-base disorders are conventionally defined from the vantage point of their impact on carbonic-acid-bicarbonate buffer system. The aim of the study is to find out the prevalence of acid-base disorder among patients visiting the emergency department of a tertiary care hospital. This is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among 370 patients who underwent arterial gas analysis at the emergency department of a tertiary care hospital. The study was carried out from 15th July 2016 to 15th July 2017 after receiving ethical approval from Institutional Review Committee. Convenient sampling was done. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency and proportion for binary data. Data were entered in Microsoft-Excel. Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 17 was used for analysis. Out of 370 patients analyzed, 329 (88.91%) (84.68-91.311 at 95% Confidence Interval) had acid-base disorder. The mixed disorder was the most common finding 80 (21.6%), followed by compensated Respiratory Acidosis 56 (17.8%). The mean age group of male patients studied was 50.72±20.586 and among females, it was 49.95±20.908 Among those most common symptoms were shortness of breath 151 (40.81%) followed by vomiting 91 (24.59%). Most common acid-base disorder was mixed disorder presenting with prominent symptoms of shortness of breathe in non-geriatric patients wherein the geriatric patient, the most common disorder was compensated respiratory acidosis with the prominent symptom of shortness of breath.

Effect of Acid-Base Disorders on Mortality and Level of consciousness for Patients Admitted to ICU: A Prospective Observational Study

Abstract Background: Acid-base disorders are very common in critically ill as well as contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality. Aim: To evaluate the effect of acid-base disorders on mortality and level of consciousness for patients admitted to ICU. Design: descriptive exploratory research design was utilized to conduct this study .Setting: This study was carried out in anesthesia intensive care units at Assiut university hospital. Sample: One hundred sixty adult male and female patients. Tools: Two tools were used in this study, the Critically Ill Patients Characteristics tool, and Acid-base parameters assessment tool. Result: more than one third of the patients (36.3%) had respiratory alkalosis and was the most common acid-base disorder observed on admission . Metabolic acidosis and respiratory acidosis was associated with higher mortality (36.4%), and (22.75). Length of ICU stay was significantly higher in non-survivors (10.23±6.91 versus 7.60±4.69, p= 0.007). Mortality was significantly higher in the GCS < 9 group with metabolic acidosis (37.5 % versus 33.3 %, p=0.033). Conclusion: Respiratory alkalosis was a common acidbase disorder. Acidemia whether due to metabolic or respiratory acidosis is associated with increased mortality in ICU patients. Low GCS low is associated with increased mortality especially in the patients with metabolic acidosis. Recommendation: Closely monitoring and early managment is important to correct acid-base imbalance to avoid poor patient outcomes.

FC 025ACID BASE DISORDERS IN COVID-19

Background and AimsAcid-base disorders are common in severely ill patients and reflect the severity of the underlying pathologic process. The incidence and effects of acid-base derangement in COVID-19 patients have been poorly evaluated until now. Tropism of the virus for the lungs and kidneys may theoretically lead to frequent acid-base alterations due to pneumonia and kidney injury, respectively. To verify the derangement of acid-base disorders in COVID-19, we investigated the distribution and the impact of acid-base disorders on the survival of symptomatic patients with a diagnosis of COVID-19.MethodWe retrospectively collected data from electronic charts of all COVID-19 patients hospitalized at the University Hospital of Modena from 4 March to 20 June 2020.Arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis was required to monitor pulmonary gas exchange and acid-base status. A pH of less than 7.37 was categorized as acidemia and a pH of more than 7.42 was categorized as alkalemia.211 patients were included in the study population. In patients with multiple ABG analyses, we selected only the first measurement.ResultsThe estimated mean age of the population was 64.7 ±15,3 years with a high predominance of males (71.6%). Half of the population referred dyspnea and 61.4% at physical examination. Most patients (82.6%) were on oxygen therapy when ABG analysis was performed. Overall, ABG analyses revealed acute respiratory compromise manifesting with a low arterial partial pressure of oxygen (P02, 70.2±25.1 mmHg), oxygen saturation (SO2, 92%) and a mild reduction of PO2/FiO2 ratio (231±129).Acid-base disturbance was found in the 79.7% of the patients, and contrary to our expectation, metabolic alkalosis (33.6%) was the main alteration followed by respiratory alkalosis (30.3%), combined alkalosis (9.4%) respiratory acidosis (3.3%) metabolic acidosis (2.8%) and other compensated acid-base disturbances (3.6%). ANOVA with post hoc Tukey, revealed statistically significant differences in age, sex, serum level of K, Na, bicarbonate, creatinine of PCO2, PO2/FiO2 ratio, CKD, symptoms (caught, diarrhea) and fatality rate among groups.Metabolic acidosis was associated with death (HR=8.2; CI 95%, 1,93-32,39; P<0.004), after adjustment for lung injury (PaO2/FiO2 ratio) tissue hypoperfusion (lactate) and renal involvement (estimated as GFR< 60 ml/min or development of acute kidney injury), Pathological pH (alkalosis or acidosis), variations of PCO2 or hypobicarbonatemia were not associated with mortality in our study population. Metabolic acidosis occurred in patients with a mean creatinine of 4.5±4.5 mg/dl. Notably, 33.3% of patients were on hemodialysis, 33.3% developed COVID-19-associated acute kidney injury and 33.3% had a GFR <60 ml/min. Patients with metabolic acidosis had the highest death-fatality rate (100%) after 7±5.6 days from admission, 50% died of acute respiratory distress syndrome and 50% of septic shock.ConclusionIn conclusion, all kinds of acid-base alterations were found in patients with COVID-19. Metabolic and respiratory alkalosis were the most common acid-base disorders, whereas metabolic acidosis was the only acid-base disturbance associate with poor outcome in our cohort of patients.

Association Between Respiratory Alkalosis and the Prognosis of COVID-19 Patients.

Aim: The aim of the study was to describe the clinical characteristics of patients with or without respiratory alkalosis, and analyze the relationship of respiratory alkalosis and the outcome of adult coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients.Methods: Clinical and laboratory data of adult COVID-19 patients in a single center in China, were retrospectively collected and analyzed. The Kaplan-Meier (KM) curve and cox regression were adopted to analyze the association between respiratory alkalosis and prognosis of COVID-19 patients.Results: Of 230 adult COVID-19 patients, 66 patients (28.7%) had respiratory alkalosis on admission. Of 66 patients, the median age was 53 years old (range, 21–84 years), and 43 (65.2%) were female. Compared with those without respiratory alkalosis, patients with respiratory alkalosis were significantly older (P = 0.002), had a higher proportion of female (P = 0.004), and showed higher ratios of underlying diseases including hypertension (P = 0.023) and cardiovascular disease (P = 0.028). Moreover, they demonstrated higher proportion of severe events (P = 0.001). Patients with respiratory alkalosis had a higher possibility of developing severe events compared with those without respiratory alkalosis (Log Rank P = 0.001). After adjusting for gender, age, and comorbidities, patients with respiratory alkalosis still showed significantly elevated risks of developing to severe cases (HR 2.445, 95% CI 1.307–4.571, P = 0.005) using cox regression analyses.Conclusions: Respiratory alkalosis as a common acid—base disorder in COVID-19 patients, was associated with a higher risk of developing severe event.

Correlation of Acid-Base Status with Mortality of Neonates Admitted in PICU

Background: The human organs and tissues function under a tightly controlled pH in the range of 7.35 to7.45. Depending on the degree of deviation of pH outside this narrow range, several homeostatic responses are activated in an effort to restore normal acid-base status.&#x0D; Objectives: To study the acid-base disturbances in neonates admitted in PICU.&#x0D; Methods: This study was conducted in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) of Dhaka Shishu (Children) Hospital for a period of six monthsfrom January to June 2018. Hundred neonates attending pediatric emergency services with various ailments were curolled. Arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis was estimated in these neonates. Ethical committee approval was taken. Results: Metabolic acidosis was the most common acid-base disorder. Fifty-seven neonates had metabolic acidosis.Significant correlation was observed between metabolic acidosis and pathological conditions like birth asphyxia and sepsis.&#x0D; Conclusion: Metabolic acidosis is the most common acid base disorder in critically ill neonates.In this study it was the most common cause of mortality. If we do earlyintervention in correction of acid-base abnormality, the outcome is likely to get improved in neonates.&#x0D; DS (Child) H J 2019; 35(1) : 37-41

Pathophysiology, Evaluation, and Management of Metabolic Alkalosis.

Metabolic alkalosis is an increase in blood pH to >7.45 due to a primary increase in serum bicarbonate (HCO3−). Metabolic alkalosis results from alkali accumulation or acid loss, and it is associated with a secondary increase in carbon dioxide arterial pressure (PaCO2). Metabolic alkalosis is a common acid-base disorder, especially in critically ill patients. The pathogenesis of chronic metabolic alkalosis includes two derangements, generation of metabolic alkalosis via gain of alkali or loss of acid and maintenance of metabolic alkalosis by increased tubular HCO3− reabsorption (failure of the kidneys to excrete excess alkali). Metabolic alkalosis is the most common acid-base disorder in hospitalized patients, particularly in the surgical critical care unit. Mortality increases as pH increases.

Acid-Base Status Disturbances in Patients on Chronic Hemodialysis at High Altitudes.

Background Acid-base disorders have been previously described in patients with chronic hemodialysis, with metabolic acidosis being the most important of them; however, little is known about the potential changes in acid-base status of patients on dialysis living at high altitudes. Methods Cross-sectional study including 93 patients receiving chronic hemodialysis on alternate days and living in Bogotá, Colombia, at an elevation of 2,640 meters (8,661 feet) over sea level (m.o.s.l.). Measurements of pH, PaCO2, HCO3, PO2, and base excess were made on blood samples taken from the arteriovenous fistula (AVF) during the pre- and postdialysis periods in the midweek hemodialysis session. Normal values for the altitude of Bogotá were taken into consideration for the interpretation of the arterial blood gases. Results 43% (n= 40) of patients showed predialysis normal acid-base status. The most common acid-base disorder in predialysis period was metabolic alkalosis with chronic hydrogen ion deficiency in 19,3% (n=18). Only 9,7% (n=9) had predialysis metabolic acidosis. When comparing pre- and postdialysis blood gas analysis, higher postdialysis levels of pH (7,41 versus 7,50, p<0,01), bicarbonate (21,7mmol/L versus 25,4mmol/L, p<0,01), and base excess (-2,8 versus 2,4, p<0,01) were reported, with lower levels of partial pressure of carbon dioxide (34,9 mmHg versus 32,5 mmHg, p<0,01). Conclusion At an elevation of 2,640 m.o.s.l., a large percentage of patients are in normal acid-base status prior to the dialysis session (“predialysis period”). Metabolic alkalosis is more common than metabolic acidosis in the predialysis period when compared to previous studies. Paradoxically, despite postdialysis metabolic alkalosis, PaCO2 levels are lower than those found in the predialysis period.

Normal anion gap metabolic acidosis secondary to topiramate intake: case report

Introducción. El topiramato es un medicamento que se usa en el tratamiento de varios tipos de epilepsia y como profilaxis en casos de cefalea migrañosa. Entre sus mecanismos de acción, la inhibición de la anhidrasa carbónica en el riñón desencadena la excreción de orina alcalina ocasionando acidosis metabólica. Presentación del caso. Paciente femenino de 17 años procedente de la Ciudad de México con antecedente de consumo de topiramato, quetiapina y sertralina para manejo de síndrome depresivo, quien desarrolla acidosis metabólica de anión restante normal secundaria a ingesta de topiramato. La joven requiere soporte ventilatorio invasivo por deterioro del estado de conciencia y síndrome de dificultad respiratoria y presenta adecuada respuesta a manejo con catártico y bicarbonato sin compromiso renal y sin secuelas neurológicas. Discusión. La acidosis metabólica es la alteración ácido base más frecuente en la práctica clínica. La diferencia entre cationes y aniones medibles, conocida como anión restante o brecha aniónica, permite clasificar este tipo de acidosis. Las pérdidas de bicarbonato o trastornos de la función tubular renal generan acidosis de anión restante normal; por el contrario, la acidosis causada por sobreproducción de ácido endógeno o por insuficiencia renal genera anión restante elevado. El topiramato es una causa poco conocida de acidosis metabólica con anión restante normal; al inhibir la anhidrasa carbónica, se ocasiona una acidosis tubular renal mixta o tipo 3 debido a una incapacidad de secreción de hidrogeniones en el túbulo colector y una limitación en la reabsorción del bicarbonato en el túbulo proximal. Conclusión. El topiramato en dosis terapéutica o en sobredosis puede generar acidosis metabólica de anión restante normal debido a la inhibición de la anhidrasa carbónica a nivel renal. Se trata de un cuadro reversible en el cual el manejo con bicarbonato ha mostrado buenos resultados clínicos.

Monophosphoryl lipid A prevents impairment of medullary thick ascending limb [Formula: see text] absorption and improves plasma [Formula: see text] concentration in septic mice.

Metabolic acidosis is the most common acid-base disorder in septic patients and is associated with increased mortality. Previously, we demonstrated that sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) impairs [Formula: see text] absorption in the medullary thick ascending limb (MTAL) by 1) decreasing the intrinsic [Formula: see text] absorptive capacity and 2) enhancing inhibition of [Formula: see text] absorption by LPS through upregulation of Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 signaling. Both effects depend on ERK activation. Monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA) is a detoxified TLR4 agonist that enhances innate antimicrobial immunity and improves survival following sepsis. Pretreatment of MTALs with MPLA in vitro prevents LPS inhibition of [Formula: see text] absorption. Here we examined whether pretreatment with MPLA would protect the MTAL against sepsis. Vehicle or MPLA was administered to mice 48 h before sham or CLP surgery, and MTALs were studied in vitro 18 h postsurgery. Pretreatment with MPLA prevented the effects of sepsis to decrease the basal [Formula: see text] absorption rate and enhance inhibition by LPS. These protective effects were mediated through MPLA stimulation of a Toll/IL-1 receptor domain-containing adaptor-inducing IFN-β-(TRIF)-dependent phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-Akt pathway that prevents sepsis- and LPS-induced ERK activation. The effects of MPLA to improve MTAL [Formula: see text] absorption were associated with marked improvement in plasma [Formula: see text] concentration, supporting a role for the kidneys in the pathogenesis of sepsis-induced metabolic acidosis. These studies support detoxified TLR4-based immunomodulators, such as MPLA, that enhance antimicrobial responses as a safe and effective approach to prevent or treat sepsis-induced renal tubule dysfunction and identify cell signaling pathways that can be targeted to preserve MTAL [Formula: see text] absorption and attenuate metabolic acidosis during sepsis.

Beyond bicarbonate: complete acid-base assessment in patients receiving intermittent hemodialysis.

Acid-base assessments in hemodialysis patients have been limited almost entirely to measurements of total CO 2 concentration, and assumptions have been made about the presence of acid-base disorders. To gain a fuller understanding of the acid-base status of stable hemodialysis patients, we analyzed measurements of pCO 2 , pH and HCO 3 - obtained in a cohort of chronic stable hemodialysis patients over a 5-year period. We reviewed acid-base measurements taken pre-dialysis from fistula blood in 53 outpatients receiving hemodialysis thrice weekly between 2008 and 2012. In these patients, pH and pCO 2 were measured using an onsite blood gas analyzer, and HCO 3 - was computed. Relevant clinical and laboratory data were obtained from medical records. Factors affecting serum HCO 3 - were identified. Simple and mixed acid-base disorders were diagnosed using accepted rules. Serum HCO 3 - was affected by age, normalized protein catabolic rate, interdialytic weight gain and length of interval between treatments. As expected, metabolic acidosis was the most common acid-base disorder, but respiratory acid-base disturbances, as simple or complex disorders, were found in 41% of the measurements. Respiratory alkalosis was seen more frequently than respiratory acidosis, but the latter disorder was more commonly associated with serious comorbidities. Respiratory acid-base disorders are an important component of the acid-base abnormalities seen in hemodialysis patients and are not identified by measuring total CO 2 concentration; hence, complete acid-base measurements are needed to determine the components of hemodialysis patients' acid-base status that are contributing to mortality risk.

Collaborative teaching strategies lead to retention of skills in acid-base physiology: a 2-yr follow-up study.

a basic understanding of acid-base physiology is critical for the correct assessment of arterial blood gases in the clinical setting ([1][1]). In this context, collaborative teaching strategies in the undergraduate classroom setting may be useful, since it has been reported to enhance both transfer

Treatment of acute non-anion gap metabolic acidosis.

Acute non-anion gap metabolic acidosis, also termed hyperchloremic acidosis, is frequently detected in seriously ill patients. The most common mechanisms leading to this acid–base disorder include loss of large quantities of base secondary to diarrhea and administration of large quantities of chloride-containing solutions in the treatment of hypovolemia and various shock states. The resultant acidic milieu can cause cellular dysfunction and contribute to poor clinical outcomes. The associated change in the chloride concentration in the distal tubule lumen might also play a role in reducing the glomerular filtration rate. Administration of base is often recommended for the treatment of acute non-anion gap acidosis. Importantly, the blood pH and/or serum bicarbonate concentration to guide the initiation of treatment has not been established for this type of metabolic acidosis; and most clinicians use guidelines derived from studies of high anion gap metabolic acidosis. Therapeutic complications resulting from base administration such as volume overload, exacerbation of hypertension and reduction in ionized calcium are likely to be as common as with high anion gap metabolic acidosis. On the other hand, exacerbation of intracellular acidosis due to the excessive generation of carbon dioxide might be less frequent than in high anion gap metabolic acidosis because of better tissue perfusion and the ability to eliminate carbon dioxide. Further basic and clinical research is needed to facilitate development of evidence-based guidelines for therapy of this important and increasingly common acid–base disorder.

Acid-Base Disorders in the Emergency Department: Incidence, Etiologies and Outcomes

Objective: Acid-base disorders (ABDs) are usually correlated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to analyze the causes, outcomes, types and incidences of ABDs in patients presenting at the emergency department (ED). Material and Methods: We prospectively analyzed data from patients who presented between January 2011 and May 2011. Data on age, gender, chief complaint, and diagnosis in the ED were collected for ABD cases. Results: Of the 736 cases with an ABD, 173 patients (23.5%) had simple ABD and 563 patients (76.5%) had mixed ABD. The most common ABD was a mixed metabolic acidosis and respiratory alkalosis (MACRAL) (n=408, 55.4%). All ABD types were most commonly observed in patients over 65 years of age. Dyspnea was the most common complaint among ABD patients who presented at the ED (44.4%). In cases of ABD, pneumonia was the most common diagnosis (16.3%). Of the ABD cases, 379 patients (51.6%) were discharged, while 318 patients (43.2%) were hospitalized. Death was more commonly observed in cases with mixed metabolic and respiratory acidosis (MRAC) (n=6) and MACRAL (n=11). Conclusion: ABDs are quite common in patients presenting at the ED, especially among patients in a critical condition (71%). Mixed MACRAL was the most commonly noted ABD. Dyspnea and pneumonia were the most common diagnoses in ABD patients. Mortality was more common in cases with a mixed MRAC and MACRAL. This knowledge may provide important information concerning the diagnosis, treatment and early prognosis of patients. (JAEM 2014; 13: 4-9)

Collaborative strategies for teaching common acid-base disorders to medical students

the ability to recognize and diagnose acid-base disorders is of the utmost importance in the clinical setting. However, in our experience, medical students often have difficulties learning the basic principles of acid-base physiology in the respiratory physiology curriculum, particularly when

Etiologies and Outcomes of various types of Acid-Base Disorders in Respiratory intensive care unit

Objective: Acid-base disorders (ABDs) are usually correlated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to analyze the causes, outcomes, and types of ABDs in patients presenting at the Respiratory intensive care unit (RICU). Material and Methods: We prospectively analyzed data from 80 patients who presented between july2012 and august 2014. Data on age, gender, chief complaint, diagnosis and outcomes in the RICU were collected for ABD cases. Results: Of the 80 cases with an ABD, 32 patients (40%) had simple ABD and 48 patients (60%) had mixed ABD. The most common ABD was a mixed respiratory acidosis and metabolic alkalosis (RACMAL) (n=28, 35%). All ABD types were most commonly observed in patients over 60 years of age. In cases of ABD, COPD was the most common diagnosis (30%). Of the ABD cases, 44 patients (55%) were treated and discharged without needing ventilator support (invasive or noninvasive). 20 patients (25%) improved with NIV (non invasive ventilation), 7 patients (8.75%) recovered after receiving IV (invasive ventilation) while 9 patients (11.25%) died even with IV. Death was more commonly observed in cases with mixed metabolic and respiratory acidosis (MACRAC) (n=4). The most common etiology among intubated and survived cases is COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases) (n=5, 71.42%), and among intubated and expired cases is ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome)/ sepsis (n=7, 77.78%) Conclusion: ABDs are quite common in patients presenting at the RICU, especially among patients in a critical condition (71%). Mixed RACMAL was the most commonly noted ABD. COPD was the most common diagnoses in ABD patients followed by pneumonia and ARDS. Mortality was more common in cases with a mixed MACRAC. High mortality was seen in the ARDS/sepsis cases. This knowledge may provide important information concerning the diagnosis, treatment and early prognosis of patients.

Treatment of Severe Metabolic Alkalosis in a Patient With Congestive Heart Failure

Metabolic alkalosis, isolated or in combination with another abnormality, is the most common acid-base disorder in patients with congestive heart failure. In most cases, it is a result of diuretic therapy, which causes activation of the renin-angiotensin system, chloride depletion, increased distal sodium delivery, hypokalemia, and increased urine acidification, all of which contribute to bicarbonate retention. In addition, the disease state itself results in neurohormonal activation (renin-angiotensin system, sympathetic nervous system, and endothelin) that further amplifies the tendency toward alkalosis. Treatment of metabolic alkalosis is based on the elimination of generation and maintenance factors, chloride and potassium repletion, enhancement of renal bicarbonate excretion (such as acetazolamide), direct titration of the base excess (hydrochloric acid), or, if accompanied by kidney failure, low-bicarbonate dialysis. In congestive heart failure, appropriate management of circulatory failure and use of an aldosterone antagonist in the diuretic regimen are integral to treatment.

Severe Metabolic Alkalosis in a Hemodialysis Patient

We present a patient with end-stage kidney disease receiving hemodialysis therapy who developed severe metabolic alkalosis secondary to vomiting. This case illustrates the important differences in pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management of this common acid-base disorder in patients without kidney function. The diagnostic approach and management strategy for metabolic alkalosis are discussed, highlighting the special issues to be considered in dialysis patients.