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{{Infobox_Disease |
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  Name          = Metabolic acidosis |
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  Image          = Davenport Fig 12.jpg |
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  Caption        = [[Davenport diagram]] |
|[[File:Siren.gif|30px|link=Metabolic acidosis resident survival guide]]||<br>||<br>
  DiseasesDB    = 92 |
|[[Metabolic acidosis resident survival guide|'''Resident'''<br>'''Survival'''<br>'''Guide''']]
  ICD10          = {{ICD10|E|87|2|e|70}} |
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  ICD9          = {{ICD9|276.2}} |
{{Metabolic acidosis}}
  ICDO          = |
  OMIM          = |
  MedlinePlus    = 000335 |
  MeshID        = |
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'''For patient information page, click [[{{PAGENAME}} (patient information)|here]]'''


In [[medicine]], '''metabolic acidosis''' is a state in which the blood [[pH]] is low (less than 7.35) due to increased production of [[hydrogen|H<sup>+</sup>]] by the body or the inability of the body to form [[bicarbonate]] (HCO<sub>3</sub><sup>-</sup>) in the [[kidney]]. Its causes are diverse, and its consequences can be serious, including [[diarrhea]], [[coma]] and [[death]]. Together with [[respiratory acidosis]], it is one of the two general types of [[acidosis]].
{{CMG}}; {{AE}} [[Priyamvada Singh|Priyamvada Singh, M.D.]] [mailto:psingh13579@gmail.com]


==Signs and symptoms==
{{SK}} Acidosis, metabolic
Symptoms are aspecific, and diagnosis can be difficult unless the patient presents with clear indications for [[arterial blood gas]] sampling. Symptoms may include [[chest pain]], [[palpitations]], [[headache]], altered mental status, decreased visual acuity, [[nausea]], [[vomiting]], [[abdominal pain]], altered appetite (either  loss of or increased) and [[weight loss]] (longer term), muscle weakness and bone pains. Those in metabolic acidosis may exhibit deep, rapid breathing called [[Kussmaul respiration]]s which is classically associated with diabetic [[ketoacidosis]]. Rapid deep breaths increase the amount of carbon dioxide exhaled, thus lowering the serum carbon dioxide levels, resulting in some degree of compensation. Over compensation to form a respiratory alkalosis does not occur.


Extreme acidosis leads to neurological and cardiac complications:
==[[Metabolic acidosis overview|Overview]]==
* Neurological: lethargy, stupor, [[coma]], [[seizure]]s.
* Cardiac: [[arrhythmia]]s ([[ventricular tachycardia]]), decreased response to [[epinephrine]]; both lead to [[hypotension]] (low blood pressure).


[[Physical examination]] occasionally reveals signs of disease, but is otherwise normal. [[Cranial nerve]] abnormalities are reported in [[ethylene glycol]] poisoning, and [[retina]]l [[edema]] can be a sign of [[methanol]] (methyl alcohol) intoxication. Longstanding chronic metabolic acidosis leads to [[osteoporosis]] and can cause [[fracture]]s.


==Diagnosis==
==[[Metabolic acidosis classification|Classification]]==
[[Arterial blood gas]] sampling is essential for the diagnosis. The pH is low (under 7.35) and the bicarbonate levels are decreased (<12 mmol/l). In [[respiratory acidosis]] (low blood pH due to decreased clearance of [[carbon dioxide]] by the [[lung]]s), the bicarbonate is elevated, due to increased conversion from H<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub>. An [[ECG]] can be useful to anticipate cardiac complications.


Other tests that are relevant in this context are [[electrolyte]]s (including [[chloride]]), [[glucose]], [[renal function]] and a [[full blood count]]. Urinalysis can reveal acidity ([[salicylate]] poisoning) or alkalinity (renal tubular acidosis type I). In addition, it can show ketones in ketoacidosis.
==[[Metabolic acidosis pathophysiology|Pathophysiology]]==


To distinguish between the main types of metabolic acidosis, a clinical tool called the ''[[anion gap]]'' is considered very useful. It is calculated by subtracting the chloride and bicarbonate levels from the sodium plus potassium levels.
==[[Metabolic acidosis causes|Causes]]==


Anion gap = ( [Na<sup>+</sup>]+[K<sup>+</sup>] )  -  ( [Cl<sup>-</sup>]+[HCO<sub>3</sub><sup>-</sup>] )
==[[Metabolic acidosis differential diagnosis|Differentiating Metabolic Acidosis from other Diseases]]==


As sodium is the main extracellular cation, and chloride and bicarbonate are the main anions, the result should reflect the remaining anions. Normally, this concentration is about 8-16 mmol/l (12±4). An elevated ''anion gap'' (i.e. > 16 mmol/l) can indicate particular types of metabolic acidosis, particularly certain poisons, lactate acidosis and ketoacidosis.
==[[Metabolic acidosis epidemiology and demographics|Epidemiology and Demographics]]==


As the [[differential diagnosis]] is narrowed down, certain other tests may be necessary, including toxicological screening and imaging of the kidneys.
==[[Metabolic acidosis risk factors|Risk Factors]]==


==Causes==
==[[Metabolic acidosis natural history, complications and prognosis|Natural History, Complications and Prognosis]]==
The causes are best grouped by their influence on the ''[[anion gap]]'':


===Increased anion gap===
==Diagnosis==
Causes include:
* [[lactic acidosis]]
* [[ketoacidosis]]
* [[chronic renal failure]] (accumulation of [[sulfate]]s, [[phosphate]]s, [[uric acid]])
* intoxication:
** [[organic acid]]s ([[salicylate]]s, [[ethanol]], [[methanol]], [[formaldehyde]], [[ethylene glycol]], [[paraldehyde]], [[INH]], [[toluene]])
** [[sulfates]], [[metformin]] (Glucophage®)
* massive [[rhabdomyolysis]]


===Mnemonics for {{PAGENAME}}===
[[Metabolic acidosis history and symptoms|History and Symptoms]] | [[ Metabolic acidosis physical examination|Physical Examination]] | [[Metabolic acidosis laboratory findings|Laboratory Findings]] | [[Metabolic acidosis electrocardiogram|Electrocardiogram]] | [[Metabolic acidosis other imaging findings|Other Imaging Findings]] | [[Metabolic acidosis other diagnostic studies|Other Diagnostic Studies]]


The mnemonic MUDPILES is commonly used to remember the causes of Increased anion gap metabolic acidosis.<ref>{{MedicalMnemonics|1203|3255||}}</ref><ref>http://fitsweb.uchc.edu/student/selectives/TimurGraham/Anion_Gap.html</ref>
==Treatment==
*M-[[Methanol]]
[[Metabolic acidosis medical therapy|Medical Therapy]] | [[Metabolic acidosis secondary prevention|Secondary Prevention]] | [[Metabolic acidosis cost-effectiveness of therapy|Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy]] [[Metabolic acidosis future or investigational therapies|Future or Investigational Therapies]]
*U-[[Uremia]]
*D-[[Diabetic Ketoacidosis]]
*P-[[Paraldehyde]]
*I-[[Infection]], [[Iron]], [Isoniazid]]
*L-[[Lactic acidosis]]
*E-[[Ethylene glycol]], [[Ethanol]]
*S-[[Salicylate]]s
 
===Normal anion gap===
Causes include:<ref>{{MedicalMnemonics|2001|||}}</ref>
* longstanding [[diarrhea]] (bicarbonate loss)
* [[pancreatic fistula]]
* uretero-sigmoidostomy
* [[Renal tubular acidosis]] (RTA)
* intoxication:
** [[ammonium chloride]]
** [[acetazolamide]] (Diamox®)
** [[bile acid sequestrant]]s
** [[isopropyl alcohol]]
* [[renal failure]] (occasionally)
 
It bears noting that the anion gap can be spuriously normal in sampling errors of the sodium level, e.g. in extreme [[hypertriglyceridemia]]. The anion gap can be increased due to relatively low levels of cations other than sodium and potassium (e.g. calcium or magnesium).
 
==Pathophysiology==
===Compensatory mechanisms===
Metabolic acidosis is either due to increased generation of acid or an inability to generate sufficient bicarbonate. The body regulates the acidity of the blood by four buffering mechanisms.
* [[bicarbonate buffering system]]  
* [[Intracellular]] buffering by absorption of hydrogen atoms by various molecules, including proteins, phosphates and carbonate in bone.
* [[Respiratory compensation]]
* [[Renal compensation]]
 
===Buffer===
The decreased bicarbonate that distinguishes metabolic acidosis is therefore due to two separate processes: the buffer (from water and carbon dioxide) and additional renal generation. The buffer reactions are:
 
:H<sup>+</sup> + HCO<sub>3</sub><sup>-</sup> <--> H<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub> <--> CO<sub>2</sub> + H<sub>2</sub>O
 
The [[Henderson-Hasselbalch equation]] mathematically describes the relationship between blood pH and the components of the bicarbonate buffering system:
 
:pH=pKa + log [HCO<sub>3</sub><sup>-</sup>]/[CO<sub>2</sub>]
:Using Henry's Law, we can say that [CO<sub>2</sub>]=0.03xPaCO<sub>2</sub>
: (PaCO<sub>2</sub> is the pressure of CO<sub>2</sub> in arterial blood)
:Adding the other normal values, we get
:pH = 6.1 + log (24/0.03x40)
:  = 6.1 + 1.3
:  = 7.4


==Treatment==
==Case Studies==
A pH under 7.1 is an emergency, due to the risk of [[cardiac arrhythmia]]s, and may warrant treatment with intravenous bicarbonate. Bicarbonate is given at 50-100 mmol at a time under scrupulous monitoring of the arterial blood gas readings. This intervention however, is not effective in case of [[lactic acidosis]].
[[Metabolic acidosis case study one|Case #1]]


If the acidosis is particularly severe and/or there may be intoxication, consultation with the [[nephrology]] team is considered useful, as [[dialysis]] may clear both the intoxication and the acidosis.
==Related Chapters==


==References==
*[[Acid-base imbalance]]
<references/>
*[[Anion gap]]
*[[Hypocalcemia]]
*[[Metabolic alkalosis]]
*[[Respiratory acidosis]]
*[[Respiratory alkalosis]]


{{Endocrine, nutritional and metabolic pathology}}
[[Category:Nephrology]]
[[Category:Electrolyte disturbance]]
[[Category:Electrolyte disturbance]]
[[Category:Emergency medicine]]
[[Category:Intensive care medicine]]
[[Category:Intensive care medicine]]
[[Category:Emergency medicine]]
[[Category:Laboratory Test]]
 
[[Category:Medical tests]]
[[et:Metaboolne atsidoos]]
[[Category:Medicine]]
[[fr:Acidose métabolique]]
[[Category:Nephrology]]
[[it:Acidosi metabolica]]


[[Category:Inborn errors of metabolism]]
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Latest revision as of 18:35, 21 January 2021



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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Priyamvada Singh, M.D. [2]

Synonyms and keywords: Acidosis, metabolic

Overview

Classification

Pathophysiology

Causes

Differentiating Metabolic Acidosis from other Diseases

Epidemiology and Demographics

Risk Factors

Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

Diagnosis

History and Symptoms | Physical Examination | Laboratory Findings | Electrocardiogram | Other Imaging Findings | Other Diagnostic Studies

Treatment

Medical Therapy | Secondary Prevention | Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy | Future or Investigational Therapies

Case Studies

Case #1

Related Chapters

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