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The American Journal of the Medical... Oct 2022Diuretics are amongst the most prescribed medications in both the inpatient and outpatient settings. They are used extensively in diverse disease states including heart... (Review)
Review
Diuretics are amongst the most prescribed medications in both the inpatient and outpatient settings. They are used extensively in diverse disease states including heart failure, acute and chronic kidney disease, cirrhosis, and diseases of excess capillary permeability such as sepsis, malignancy, and malnutrition. All are characterized by total body sodium overabundance which commonly manifests as edema. The use of diuretics is however not bereft of complications. These complications frequently limit the correction of hypervolemia, resulting in continued patient suffering and frustration for the clinician. In this review, we employ a case-based approach to discuss three common challenges encountered during diuretic therapy: diuretic resistance that characterizes the nephrotic syndrome, diuretic-induced metabolic alkalosis, and diuretic-associated hyponatremia. We empower the clinician to effectively meet these challenges by providing a mechanistic understanding of these complications and their solutions.
Topics: Diuretics; Edema; Heart Failure; Humans; Hyponatremia; Sodium
PubMed: 35472337
DOI: 10.1016/j.amjms.2022.04.021 -
F1000Research 2020The global pandemic secondary to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is leading to unprecedented global morbidity and mortality. With a... (Review)
Review
The global pandemic secondary to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is leading to unprecedented global morbidity and mortality. With a bewildering array of complications, renal involvement in various forms is common, including serum electrolyte derangements. Hypokalaemia secondary to SARS-CoV-2 was common in a reported Chinese cohort. Here we review the emerging evidence on hypokalaemia and SARS-CoV-2 infection, the potential pathophysiological mechanisms based on early clinical and histopathological data and important clinical implications. Mechanisms of hypokalaemia are multifactorial and so the electrolyte disturbance can be difficult to avoid. We provide further support to the theory of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone (RAS) activation, discuss the strengths and weaknesses of implicating RAS involvement and highlight the importance of calculating the transtubular potassium gradient to identify those at risk of hypokalaemia and its complications.
Topics: Humans; Aldosterone; Betacoronavirus; Coronavirus Infections; COVID-19; Electrolytes; Hypokalemia; Pandemics; Pneumonia, Viral; Potassium; Renin-Angiotensin System; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 33093945
DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.24441.2 -
Seminars in Dialysis Jan 2023Hemodialysis solutions typically contain a high alkali concentration designed to counter interdialytic acidosis, but this could result in persistent alkalosis in some...
BACKGROUND
Hemodialysis solutions typically contain a high alkali concentration designed to counter interdialytic acidosis, but this could result in persistent alkalosis in some patients. The prevalence and significance of persistent alkalosis were therefore examined at four outpatient centers over a 10-year period.
METHODS
Alkalosis was defined as a pre-dialysis serum [HCO ] ≥ 26 meq/L in >6 months of a 12-month period and was persistent if present in a majority of months thereafter. Control patients had a serum [HCO ] of 19-23 meq/L > 6 of every 12 months. Standard, citrate-containing dialysate was used in all patients without adjustment of bicarbonate concentration.
RESULTS
444 of 1271 patients had alkalosis that persisted in 73. Compared to control patients, persistently alkalotic patients were older, but gender, race, starting weight, comorbidities, and mortality did not differ. Dialysis dose was 7% greater, protein catabolic rate was 11% lower, and interdialytic weight gain was 29% lower, all p < 0.001. Persistently alkalotic patients had double the incidence of cardiac arrhythmias (p = 0.07) and a 20% greater intradialytic blood pressure decrease (p < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
Alkalosis is common in hemodialysis patients and can be persistent, likely due to decreased protein catabolic rate and increased dialysis dose, and may have detrimental cardiovascular effects.
Topics: Humans; Renal Dialysis; Prospective Studies; Dialysis Solutions; Hemodialysis Solutions; Alkalosis; Bicarbonates
PubMed: 35384078
DOI: 10.1111/sdi.13068 -
The Journal of the Association of... Mar 2023Awareness regarding the etiological spectrum of tetany is poor among physicians. Because of poor awareness, tetany is underdiagnosed and undertreated.
INTRODUCTION
Awareness regarding the etiological spectrum of tetany is poor among physicians. Because of poor awareness, tetany is underdiagnosed and undertreated.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Databases like PubMed, PubMed Central, Scopus, and Google Scholar are searched to identify peer-reviewed articles on tetany. Case reports, case series, and original articles are analyzed to identify different causes of tetany prevalent in the community. Different causes found are analyzed and tabulated, and finally, a flowchart is made on the approach for diagnosing different underlying pathologies of tetany.
RESULTS
Both metabolic and respiratory alkalosis are important causes of tetany because of reduced ionized calcium levels. Gitelman syndrome (GS) is associated with metabolic alkalosis, hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia and hypocalciuria, and frequently causes normocalcemic tetany. Recurrent vomiting and primary hyperaldosteronism also cause tetany due to metabolic alkalosis. Hyperventilation syndrome (HVS) leads to respiratory alkalosis and is a frequent cause of tetany. Hyperventilation-induced tetany is also seen after spinal anesthesia and in respiratory disorders like asthma. Vitamin D deficiency (VDD), primary hypoparathyroidism, and pseudohypoparathyroidism (PHP) (1a, 1b, and 2) cause hypocalcemic tetany. Hypomagnesemia causes hypocalcemia and tetany due to peripheral parathyroid hormone resistance and impaired parathyroid hormone secretion. Drugs causing tetany include bisphosphonates, denosumab, cisplatin, antiepileptics, aminoglycosides, diuretics, etc. Tetany is also seen in acute pancreatitis, dengue, falciparum malaria, hyperemesis gravidarum, tumor lysis syndrome (TLS), massive blood transfusion, etc. Conclusion: The spectrum of disorders associated with tetany is diverse. Awareness of different causes will help early and proper diagnosis of tetany.
Topics: Humans; Tetany; Alkalosis, Respiratory; Hyperventilation; Acute Disease; Pancreatitis; Hypocalcemia; Alkalosis; Magnesium; Parathyroid Hormone; Calcium
PubMed: 37354510
DOI: 10.5005/japi-11001-0203 -
Current Opinion in Nephrology and... Mar 2024Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is a vital medical intervention used in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury (AKI). One of the key components of... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is a vital medical intervention used in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury (AKI). One of the key components of adequate clearance with CRRT is the use of anticoagulants to prevent clotting of the extracorporeal circuit. Regional citrate anticoagulation is the most often recommended modality. The term 'citrate toxicity' is used to describe potential adverse effects of accumulation of citrate and subsequent hypocalcemia. However, citrate is itself not inherently toxic. The term and diagnosis of citrate toxicity are questioned in this review.
RECENT FINDINGS
Citrate is being increasingly used for regional anticoagulation of the CRRT circuit. Citrate accumulation is infrequent and can cause hypocalcemia and metabolic alkalosis, which are potential adverse effects. Citrate itself, however, is not a toxic molecule. The term 'citrate toxicity' has been used to denote hypocalcemia and metabolic acidosis. However, citrate administration is well known to cause systemic and urinary alkalinization and under certain circumstances, metabolic alkalosis, but is not associated itself with any 'toxic' effects.We review the existing literature and debunk the perceived toxicity of citrate. We delve into the metabolism and clearance of citrate and question current data suggesting metabolic acidosis occurs as the result of citrate accumulation.
SUMMARY
In conclusion, this article calls into question prevailing concerns about 'citrate toxicity'. We emphasize the need for a more nuanced understanding of its safety profile. We recommend discarding the term 'citrate toxicity' in favor of another frequently used, but more meaningful term: 'citrate accumulation'.
Topics: Humans; Acidosis; Acute Kidney Injury; Alkalosis; Anticoagulants; Citrates; Hypocalcemia; Renal Replacement Therapy
PubMed: 37962170
DOI: 10.1097/MNH.0000000000000953 -
Seminars in Respiratory and Critical... Oct 2023Disorders of acid-base status are common in the critically ill and prompt recognition is central to clinical decision making. The bicarbonate/carbon dioxide buffer...
Disorders of acid-base status are common in the critically ill and prompt recognition is central to clinical decision making. The bicarbonate/carbon dioxide buffer system plays a pivotal role in maintaining acid-base homeostasis, and measurements of pH, PCO, and HCO are routinely used in the estimation of metabolic and respiratory disturbance severity. Hypoventilation and hyperventilation cause primary respiratory acidosis and primary respiratory alkalosis, respectively. Metabolic acidosis and metabolic alkalosis have numerous origins, that include alterations in acid or base intake, body fluid losses, abnormalities of intermediary metabolism, and renal, hepatic, and gastrointestinal dysfunction. The concept of the anion gap is used to categorize metabolic acidoses, and urine chloride excretion helps define metabolic alkaloses. Both the lungs and kidneys employ compensatory mechanisms to minimize changes in pH caused by various physiologic and disease disturbances. Treatment of acid-base disorders should focus primarily on correcting the underlying cause and the hemodynamic and electrolyte derangements that ensue. Specific therapies under certain conditions include renal replacement therapy, mechanical ventilation, respiratory stimulants or depressants, and inhibition of specific enzymes in intermediary metabolism disorders.
Topics: Humans; Acid-Base Imbalance; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Acid-Base Equilibrium; Acidosis; Alkalosis; Carbon Dioxide
PubMed: 37369215
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1770341 -
Electrolyte & Blood Pressure : E & BP Dec 2022Bartter syndrome (BS) is one of the most well-known hereditary tubular disorders, characterized by hypokalemic, hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis, and... (Review)
Review
Bartter syndrome (BS) is one of the most well-known hereditary tubular disorders, characterized by hypokalemic, hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis, and polyuria/polydipsia. This disease usually presents before or during infancy, and adult nephrologists often inherit the patients from pediatric nephrologists since this is a life-long condition. Here, a few case scenarios will be presented to recount how they first got diagnosed and how their clinical courses were during childhood until adulthood, in addition to a brief review of the disease and its treatment.
PubMed: 36688207
DOI: 10.5049/EBP.2022.20.2.49 -
European Annals of Otorhinolaryngology,... May 2023
Topics: Humans; Hyperventilation; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
PubMed: 36609116
DOI: 10.1016/j.anorl.2022.12.005 -
Cureus Jan 2021Metabolic alkalosis is an increase in blood pH to >7.45 due to a primary increase in serum bicarbonate (HCO ). Metabolic alkalosis results from alkali accumulation or... (Review)
Review
Metabolic alkalosis is an increase in blood pH to >7.45 due to a primary increase in serum bicarbonate (HCO ). Metabolic alkalosis results from alkali accumulation or acid loss, and it is associated with a secondary increase in carbon dioxide arterial pressure (PCO). 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 HCO 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.
PubMed: 33628696
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.12841