Metabolic acidosis resident survival guide
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Ogheneochuko Ajari, MB.BS, MS [2]
Definition
Metabolic acidosis is a state in which the blood pH is low (less than 7.35) due to increased production of H+ by the body or the inability of the body to form bicarbonate (HCO3-) in the kidney.
Causes
Life Threatening Causes
Common Causes
Normal Anion Gap Metabolic Acidosis
The mnemonic for the most common causes of a normal-anion gap metabolic acidosis is "DURHAM."
- D- Diarrhea
- M- Miscellaneous (congenital chloride diarrhea, amphotericin B, toluene - toluene causes high anion gap metabolic acidosis followed by normal anion gap metabolic acidosis
Increased/High Anion Gap Metabolic Acidosis
The mnemonic "MUDPILES" is used to remember the common causes of a high anion gap.
- M - Methanol/Metformin
- U - Uremia
- D - Diabetic ketoacidosis
- P - Paraldehyde/Propylene glycol
- I - Infection/Ischemia/Isoniazid
- L - Lactate
- E - Ethylene glycol/Ethanol
- S - Salicylates/Starvation