9/9- Physiology of Metabolic Acidosis and Alkalosis I & II Flashcards
What is the difference between acidemia and acidosis? (or alkalosis and alkalemia)
Acidosis is the process while acidemia is the net result of all “processes” (the same pt can have acidosis and alkalosis at the same time)
- Acidemia is only clear when you known the pH in ABG
pH values for acidemia? alkalemia?
Acidemia: pH under 7.35
Alkalemia: pH > 7.45
What are some consequences of acidemia (in terms of O2 affinity and also systemic effects?)
- Hgb has increased O2 affinity
- Impairs bone structure and formation
- Decreased contractility of myocardium
- Decreased excitability of the brain: Metabolic Encephalopathy
- Decreased peripheral vascular resistance
- Increased K+ levels – cellular shifts
What are some consequences of alkalemia (in terms of O2 affinity and also systemic effects?)
- Hgb binds O2 avidly
- Decreased respiratory center causing hypoventilation
- Decreased ionized Ca++ results in weakness
- Decreased K+ by cellular shifts
Increased irritability:
- Myocardium: arrhythmias
- CNS: seizures
When do you apply the concept of anion gap?
Metabolic acidosis
What is the anion gap?
Na + unmeasured cations = Cl + HCO3 + unmeasured anions
Na - (Cl + HCO3) = UMA - UMC = AG
Ex)
- pH = 7.13
- Na = 140
- Cl = 105
- HCO3 = 5
What is AG?
AG = Na - (Cl + HCO3)
AG = 140 - (105 + 5) AG = 30 (high)
What is pathogenesis of metabolic acidosis?
(From acid accumulation or low bicarbonate)
Normal acid production:
- Under excretion of acid (kidney failure)
- HCO3 wasting (renal, GI)
Excess acid production:
- Endogenous acid (lactate, ketones)
- Exogenous acid (salicylates, methanol, ethylene glycol, proylene glycol, acetaminophen)
What are chemical hallmarks of high AG metabolic acidosis?
Pathogenesis?
Hallmarks:
- Acid accumulation
- Low bicarbonate
Pathogenesis:
Normal acid production:
- Kidney failure -> underexcretion of acid
Excess acid production:
- Endogenous acid (lactate, ketones)
- Exogenous acid (salicylates, methanol, ethylene glycol, proylene glycol, acetaminophen)
What are chemical hallmarks of normal AG metabolic acidosis?
Pathogenesis?
Hallmarks:
- Loss of bicarbonate as sodium bicarb
- Sodium reabsorbed as sodium “chloride”
- High Cl
- Low bicarb compensated by high chloride
Pathogenesis:
Normal acid production:
- HCO3 wasting (renal, GI)
Case)
Frustrated by this acid-base talk, a medical student flies to Cancun for a break
- drinks tap water
- diarrhea
- On exam: PR 120/mt, BP 80/40.
- pH 7.26, pCO2 24, HCO3- 10
- Na 133, K 2.1, Cl 112 and HCO3 11
Analyze
- pH is low; acidemia
- Low K (lost in diarrhea)
- AG = 133 - (11 + 112) = 10 (normal)
This is normal AG metabolic acidosis from diarrhea
Summary of causes of metabolic acidosis
How can you calculate osmolarity?
Osm = 2Na + BUN/2.8 + glucose/18
(Osm in mmol/L and glucose in mg/dL)
Stepwise approach for acid-base problems?
- Look at pH (acidemia or alkalemia?)
- Determine if metabolic (HCO3 problem) or respiratory (PCO2 problem)
- AG and calculate delta AG
- Delta bicarbonate
- Adequate compensation?
- Simple vs. mixed
What is the equation for delta anion gap?
What does delta AG reflect?
Pt AG - Normal AG
Normal AG ~ 10
Delta AG indicates how much bicarbonate fell