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American Journal of Kidney Diseases :... Oct 2022Metabolic alkalosis is a widespread acid-base disturbance, especially in hospitalized patients. It is characterized by the primary elevation of serum bicarbonate and... (Review)
Review
Metabolic alkalosis is a widespread acid-base disturbance, especially in hospitalized patients. It is characterized by the primary elevation of serum bicarbonate and arterial pH, along with a compensatory increase in Pco consequent to adaptive hypoventilation. The pathogenesis of metabolic alkalosis involves either a loss of fixed acid or a net accumulation of bicarbonate within the extracellular fluid. The loss of acid may be via the gastrointestinal tract or the kidney, whereas the sources of excess alkali may be via oral or parenteral alkali intake. Severe metabolic alkalosis in critically ill patients-arterial blood pH of 7.55 or higher-is associated with significantly increased mortality rate. The kidney is equipped with sophisticated mechanisms to avert the generation or the persistence (maintenance) of metabolic alkalosis by enhancing bicarbonate excretion. These mechanisms include increased filtration as well as decreased absorption and enhanced secretion of bicarbonate by specialized transporters in specific nephron segments. Factors that interfere with these mechanisms will impair the ability of the kidney to eliminate excess bicarbonate, therefore promoting the generation or impairing the correction of metabolic alkalosis. These factors include volume contraction, low glomerular filtration rate, potassium deficiency, hypochloremia, aldosterone excess, and elevated arterial carbon dioxide. Major clinical states are associated with metabolic alkalosis, including vomiting, aldosterone or cortisol excess, licorice ingestion, chloruretic diuretics, excess calcium alkali ingestion, and genetic diseases such as Bartter syndrome, Gitelman syndrome, and cystic fibrosis. In this installment in the AJKD Core Curriculum in Nephrology, we will review the pathogenesis of metabolic alkalosis; appraise the precipitating events; and discuss clinical presentations, diagnoses, and treatments of metabolic alkalosis.
Topics: Aldosterone; Alkalies; Alkalosis; Bicarbonates; Calcium; Carbon Dioxide; Curriculum; Diuretics; Humans; Hydrocortisone
PubMed: 35525634
DOI: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2021.12.016 -
Clinical Journal of the American... Dec 2020Metabolic alkalosis is a very commonly encountered acid-base disorder that may be generated by a variety of exogenous and/or endogenous, pathophysiologic mechanisms.... (Review)
Review
Metabolic alkalosis is a very commonly encountered acid-base disorder that may be generated by a variety of exogenous and/or endogenous, pathophysiologic mechanisms. Multiple mechanisms are also responsible for the persistence, or maintenance, of metabolic alkalosis. Understanding these generation and maintenance mechanisms helps direct appropriate intervention and correction of this disorder. The framework utilized in this review is based on the ECF volume-centered approach popularized by Donald Seldin and Floyd Rector in the 1970s. Although many subsequent scientific discoveries have advanced our understanding of the pathophysiology of metabolic alkalosis, that framework continues to be a valuable and relatively straightforward diagnostic and therapeutic model.
Topics: Acid-Base Equilibrium; Alkalosis; Animals; Bicarbonates; Biomarkers; Chlorides; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Models, Biological; Prognosis
PubMed: 32586924
DOI: 10.2215/CJN.16041219 -
Clinical Journal of the American... Jan 2023Acid-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...
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.
Topics: Humans; Bicarbonates; Critical Illness; Acidosis; Acid-Base Equilibrium; Acid-Base Imbalance; Alkalosis
PubMed: 35998977
DOI: 10.2215/CJN.04500422 -
Current Opinion in Nephrology and... Sep 2022Gitelman syndrome is a recessive salt-wasting disorder characterized by hypomagnesemia, hypokalemia, metabolic alkalosis and hypocalciuria. The majority of patients are... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Gitelman syndrome is a recessive salt-wasting disorder characterized by hypomagnesemia, hypokalemia, metabolic alkalosis and hypocalciuria. The majority of patients are explained by mutations and deletions in the SLC12A3 gene, encoding the Na+-Cl--co-transporter (NCC). Recently, additional genetic causes of Gitelman-like syndromes have been identified that should be considered in genetic screening. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the clinical, genetic and mechanistic aspects of Gitelman(-like) syndromes.
RECENT FINDINGS
Disturbed Na+ reabsorption in the distal convoluted tubule (DCT) is associated with hypomagnesemia and hypokalemic alkalosis. In Gitelman syndrome, loss-of-function mutations in SLC12A3 cause impaired NCC-mediated Na+ reabsorption. In addition, patients with mutations in CLCKNB, KCNJ10, FXYD2 or HNF1B may present with a similar phenotype, as these mutations indirectly reduce NCC activity. Furthermore, genetic investigations of patients with Na+-wasting tubulopathy have resulted in the identification of pathogenic variants in MT-TI, MT-TF, KCNJ16 and ATP1A1. These novel findings highlight the importance of cell metabolism and basolateral membrane potential for Na+ reabsorption in the DCT.
SUMMARY
Altogether, these findings extend the genetic spectrum of Gitelman-like electrolyte alterations. Genetic testing of patients with hypomagnesemia and hypokalemia should cover a panel of genes involved in Gitelman-like syndromes, including the mitochondrial genome.
Topics: Alkalosis; Bartter Syndrome; Gitelman Syndrome; Humans; Hypokalemia; Magnesium; Sodium; Solute Carrier Family 12, Member 3
PubMed: 35894287
DOI: 10.1097/MNH.0000000000000818 -
Annals of Hepatology 2022In addition to the kidneys and lungs, the liver also plays an important role in the regulation of the Acid-Base Equilibrium (ABE). The involvement of the liver in the... (Review)
Review
In addition to the kidneys and lungs, the liver also plays an important role in the regulation of the Acid-Base Equilibrium (ABE). The involvement of the liver in the regulation of ABE is crucial because of its role in lactic acid metabolism, urea production and in protein homeostasis. The main acid-base imbalance that occurs in patients with liver cirrhosis is Respiratory Alkalosis (RAlk). Due to the fact that in these patients additional pathophysiological mechanisms that affect the ABE are present, other disorders may appear which compensate or enhance the primary disorder. Conventional ABE reading models fail to identify and assess the underlying disorders in patients with liver cirrhosis. This weakness of the classical models led to the creation of new physicochemical mathematical models that take into account all the known parameters that develop and affect the ABE. In addition to the RAlk, in patients with liver cirrhosis, metabolic alkalosis (due to hypoalbuminemia), hyponatremic metabolic acidosis, hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis, lactic acidosis and metabolic alkalosis due to urea metabolism are some of the pathophysiological mechanisms that affect the ABE.
Topics: Acidosis; Alkalosis; Humans; Liver Cirrhosis; Liver Diseases; Urea
PubMed: 35074477
DOI: 10.1016/j.aohep.2022.100675 -
European Journal of Medical Research May 2024The base excess value (BE, mmol/L), not standard base excess (SBE), correctly calculated including pH, pCO (mmHg), sO (%) and cHb (g/dl) is a diagnostic tool for several... (Review)
Review
The base excess value (BE, mmol/L), not standard base excess (SBE), correctly calculated including pH, pCO (mmHg), sO (%) and cHb (g/dl) is a diagnostic tool for several in vivo events, e.g., mortality after multiple trauma or shock, acidosis, bleeding, clotting, artificial ventilation. In everyday clinical practice a few microlitres of blood (arterial, mixed venous or venous) are sufficient for optimal diagnostics of any metabolic acidosis or alkalosis.The same applies to a therapeutic tool-then referred to as potential base excess (BEpot)-for several in vitro assessments, e.g., solutions for infusion, sodium bicarbonate, blood products, packed red blood cells, plasma. Thus, BE or BEpot has been a parameter with exceptional clinical significance since 2007.
Topics: Humans; Acidosis; Acid-Base Imbalance; Acid-Base Equilibrium; Alkalosis
PubMed: 38735983
DOI: 10.1186/s40001-024-01796-6 -
The Journal of Physiology Mar 2020It was unknown whether respiratory alkalosis impacts the global cerebral metabolic response as well as the cerebral pro-oxidation and inflammatory response in passive...
KEY POINTS
It was unknown whether respiratory alkalosis impacts the global cerebral metabolic response as well as the cerebral pro-oxidation and inflammatory response in passive hyperthermia. This study demonstrated that the cerebral metabolic rate was increased by ∼20% with passive hyperthermia of up to +2°C oesophageal temperature, and this response was unaffected by respiratory alkalosis. Additionally, the increase in cerebral metabolism did not significantly impact the net cerebral release of oxidative and inflammatory markers. These data indicate that passive heating of up to +2°C core temperature in healthy young men is not enough to confer a major oxidative and inflammatory burden on the brain, but it does markedly increase the cerebral metabolic rate, independently of .
ABSTRACT
There is limited information concerning the impact of arterial /pH on heat-induced alteration in cerebral metabolism, as well as on the cerebral oxidative/inflammatory burden of hyperthermia. Accordingly, we sought to address two hypotheses: (1) passive hyperthermia will increase the cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen (CMRO ) consistent with a combined influence of Q10 and respiratory alkalosis; and (2) the net cerebral release of pro-oxidative and pro-inflammatory markers will be elevated in hyperthermia, particularly in poikilocapnic hyperthermia. Healthy young men (n = 6) underwent passive heating until an oesophageal temperature of 2°C above resting was reached. At 0.5°C increments in core temperature, CMRO was calculated from the product of cerebral blood flow (ultrasound) and the radial artery-jugular venous oxygen content difference (cannulation). Net cerebral glucose/lactate exchange, and biomarkers of oxidative and inflammatory stress were also measured. At +2.0°C oesophageal temperature, arterial was restored to normothermic values using end-tidal forcing. The primary findings were: (1) while CMRO was increased (P < 0.05) by ∼20% with hyperthermia of +1.5-2.0°C, this was not influenced by respiratory alkalosis, and (2) although biomarkers of pro-oxidation and pro-inflammation were systemically elevated in hyperthermia (P < 0.05), there were no differences in the trans-cerebral exchange kinetics. These novel data indicate that passive heating of up to +2°C core temperature in healthy young men is not enough to confer a major oxidative and inflammatory burden on the brain, despite it markedly increasing CMRO , irrespective of arterial pH.
Topics: Alkalosis, Respiratory; Brain; Cerebrovascular Circulation; Fever; Humans; Hyperthermia; Inflammation; Male
PubMed: 31900940
DOI: 10.1113/JP278889 -
The Journal of Physiology Dec 2021The regulation and defence of intracellular pH is essential for homeostasis. Indeed, alterations in cerebrovascular acid-base balance directly affect cerebral blood flow...
The regulation and defence of intracellular pH is essential for homeostasis. Indeed, alterations in cerebrovascular acid-base balance directly affect cerebral blood flow (CBF) which has implications for human health and disease. For example, changes in CBF regulation during acid-base disturbances are evident in conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and diabetic ketoacidosis. The classic experimental studies from the past 75+ years are utilized to describe the integrative relationships between CBF, carbon dioxide tension (PCO ), bicarbonate (HCO ) and pH. These factors interact to influence (1) the time course of acid-base compensatory changes and the respective cerebrovascular responses (due to rapid exchange kinetics between arterial blood, extracellular fluid and intracellular brain tissue). We propose that alterations in arterial [HCO ] during acute respiratory acidosis/alkalosis contribute to cerebrovascular acid-base regulation; and (2) the regulation of CBF by direct changes in arterial vs. extravascular/interstitial PCO and pH - the latter recognized as the proximal compartment which alters vascular smooth muscle cell regulation of CBF. Taken together, these results substantiate two key ideas: first, that the regulation of CBF is affected by the severity of metabolic/respiratory disturbances, including the extent of partial/full acid-base compensation; and second, that the regulation of CBF is independent of arterial pH and that diffusion of CO across the blood-brain barrier is integral to altering perivascular extracellular pH. Overall, by realizing the integrative relationships between CBF, PCO , HCO and pH, experimental studies may provide insights to improve CBF regulation in clinical practice with treatment of systemic acid-base disorders.
Topics: Acid-Base Equilibrium; Acidosis; Alkalosis; Bicarbonates; Carbon Dioxide; Cerebrovascular Circulation; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
PubMed: 34705265
DOI: 10.1113/JP281517 -
International Journal of Sport... Jan 2023This study compared the recommended dose of sodium citrate (SC, 500 mg/kg body mass) and sodium bicarbonate (SB, 300 mg/kg body mass) for blood alkalosis (blood... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
This study compared the recommended dose of sodium citrate (SC, 500 mg/kg body mass) and sodium bicarbonate (SB, 300 mg/kg body mass) for blood alkalosis (blood [HCO3-]) and gastrointestinal symptoms (GIS; number and severity). Sixteen healthy individuals ingested the supplements in a randomized, crossover design. Gelatin capsules were ingested over 15 min alongside a carbohydrate-rich meal, after which participants remained seated for forearm venous blood sample collection and completion of GIS questionnaires every 30 min for 300 min. Time-course and session value (i.e., peak and time to peak) comparisons of SC and SB supplementation were performed using linear mixed models. Peak blood [HCO3-] was similar for SC (mean 34.2, 95% confidence intervals [33.4, 35.0] mmol/L) and SB (mean 33.6, 95% confidence intervals [32.8, 34.5] mmol/L, p = .308), as was delta blood [HCO3-] (SC = 7.9 mmol/L; SB = 7.3 mmol/L, p = .478). Blood [HCO3-] was ≥6 mmol/L above baseline from 180 to 240 min postingestion for SC, significantly later than for SB (120-180 min; p < .001). GIS were mostly minor, and peaked 80-90 min postingestion for SC, and 35-50 min postingestion for SB. There were no significant differences for the number or severity of GIS reported (p > .05 for all parameters). In summary, the recommended doses of SC and SB induce similar blood alkalosis and GIS, but with a different time course.
Topics: Humans; Alkalosis; Eating; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Sodium Bicarbonate; Sodium Citrate; Cross-Over Studies
PubMed: 36109008
DOI: 10.1123/ijsnem.2022-0083 -
Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 2013The incidence and causes of metabolic alkalosis in dogs and cats have not been fully investigated.
BACKGROUND
The incidence and causes of metabolic alkalosis in dogs and cats have not been fully investigated.
OBJECTIVES
To describe the incidence, nature, and etiology of metabolic alkalosis in dogs and cats undergoing blood gas analysis at a veterinary teaching hospital.
ANIMALS
Dogs and cats at a veterinary medical teaching hospital.
METHODS
Acid-base and electrolyte results for dogs and cats measured during a 13-month period were retrospectively collected from a computer database. Only the first measured (venous or arterial) blood gas analyzed in a single hospitalization period was included. Animals with a base excess above the reference range for the species were included.
RESULTS
A total of 1,805 dogs and cats were included. Of these, 349 (19%) were identified as having an increased standardized base excess, 319 dogs and 30 cats. The mixed acid-base disorder of metabolic alkalosis with respiratory acidosis was the most common abnormality identified in both dogs and cats. Hypokalemia and hypochloremia were more common in animals with metabolic alkalosis compared to animals without metabolic alkalosis. The 4 most commonly identified underlying diseases were respiratory disease, gastrointestinal tract obstruction, furosemide administration, and renal disease.
CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE
Metabolic alkalosis was less common than metabolic acidosis in the same population of animals. Evidence of contraction alkalosis was present in many patients in this study. Hypokalemia and hypochloremia were more frequent in patients with metabolic alkalosis and suggest the importance of evaluation of acid-base status in conjunction with serum electrolyte concentrations.
Topics: Acidosis; Alkalosis; Animals; Cat Diseases; Cats; Chlorides; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Hypokalemia
PubMed: 23751002
DOI: 10.1111/jvim.12122