Rising serum sodium levels are associated with a concurrent development of metabolic alkalosis in critically ill patients

Lindner, Gregor; Schwarz, Christoph; Grüssing, Heidelinde; Kneidinger, Nikolaus; Fazekas, Andreas; Funk, Georg-Christian (2013). Rising serum sodium levels are associated with a concurrent development of metabolic alkalosis in critically ill patients. Intensive care medicine, 39(3), pp. 399-405. Springer-Verlag 10.1007/s00134-012-2753-3

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PURPOSE

Changes in electrolyte homeostasis are important causes of acid-base disorders. While the effects of chloride are well studied, only little is known of the potential contributions of sodium to metabolic acid-base state. Thus, we investigated the effects of intensive care unit (ICU)-acquired hypernatremia on acid-base state.

METHODS

We included critically ill patients who developed hypernatremia, defined as a serum sodium concentration exceeding 149 mmol/L, after ICU admission in this retrospective study. Data on electrolyte and acid-base state in all included patients were gathered in order to analyze the effects of hypernatremia on metabolic acid-base state by use of the physical-chemical approach.

RESULTS

A total of 51 patients were included in the study. The time of rising serum sodium and hypernatremia was accompanied by metabolic alkalosis. A transient increase in total base excess (standard base excess from 0.1 to 5.5 mmol/L) paralleled by a transient increase in the base excess due to sodium (base excess sodium from 0.7 to 4.1 mmol/L) could be observed. The other determinants of metabolic acid-base state remained stable. The increase in base excess was accompanied by a slight increase in overall pH (from 7.392 to 7.429, standard base excess from 0.1 to 5.5 mmol/L).

CONCLUSIONS

Hypernatremia is accompanied by metabolic alkalosis and an increase in pH. Given the high prevalence of hypernatremia, especially in critically ill patients, hypernatremic alkalosis should be part of the differential diagnosis of metabolic acid-base disorders.

Item Type:

Journal Article (Original Article)

Division/Institute:

04 Faculty of Medicine > Department of General Internal Medicine (DAIM) > Clinic of General Internal Medicine > Centre of Competence for General Internal Medicine

UniBE Contributor:

Lindner, Gregor

ISSN:

0342-4642

Publisher:

Springer-Verlag

Language:

English

Submitter:

Patricia Rajaonina

Date Deposited:

01 Apr 2014 09:05

Last Modified:

05 Dec 2022 14:31

Publisher DOI:

10.1007/s00134-012-2753-3

PubMed ID:

23160772

BORIS DOI:

10.7892/boris.47347

URI:

https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/47347

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