Metabolic alkalosis

Background

Metabolic alkalosis generally occurs as a primary increase in serum bicarbonate (HCO3-) concentration, which can occur due to loss of H+ from the body or a gain in HCO3-.

Main Causes

• Hydrogen ion loss (via vomiting)
• Shift of hydrogen ions intracellularly (from hypokalemia)
• Bicarbonate administration
• Contraction alkalosis (Diuretic administration, diarrhea, or any excessive loss of volume)

Differential Diagnosis

• Chloride-Responsive (urine Cl < 20 mEq/L)
  • Loss of gastric secretions
    • vomiting
    • NG suction
    • bulemia
  • Loss of colonic secretions
    • congenital chloridorrhea
    • villous adenoma
  • Thiazides/loop after D/C
  • Post hypercapnia
  • Cystic fibrosis
• Chloride-resistant (urine Cl > 20 mEq/L)
  • With HTN
    • Primary hyperaldo
      • adrenal adenoma
      • bilateral adrenal
      • hyperplasia
      • adrenal carcinoma
    • 11B-HSD2
      • genetic, licorice
      • chewing tobacco
      • carbenoxolone
    • CAH (11-Hydroxylase or 17-hydroxylase deficiency)
    • Current diuretics + HTN
    • Cushing syndrome
    • Exogenous steroids
    • Liddle syndrome
    • Renovascular HTN
  • Without HTN
    • Bartter syndrome^
    • Gitelman syndrome^
    • Severe K+ depletion
    • Current thiazides/loop
    • Hypomagnesemia
• Other causes
  • Exogenous alkali (Nabicarb + renal failure, metabolism of lactic acid, or ketoacids)
  • Milk alkali syndrome
  • Hypercalcemia (inability to concentrate urine leads to hypovolemia)
  • Intravenous penicillin
  • Refeeding alkalosis
  • Massive blood transfusion

^in children

Diagnosis

• pH > 7.42 = alkalemia
• HCO3 > 28 = metabolic alkalosis
• Always determine if there is also a concurrent primary respiratory process
  • expected pCO2 = 40 + 0.6(measured HCO3 - 24)
  • if pCO2>pCO2 expected, then there is also a primary respiratory acidosis
  • if pCO2<pCO2 expected, then there is also primary respiratory alkalosis
• Always calculate AG to determine if concurrent primary metabolic acidosis

Treatment

1. Correct volume depletion
   • Normal Saline
     • Repletion of extracellular volume decr need for Na reaborption
     • Delivery of Cl to distal tubule increases Cl/bicarb exchange
2. Correct potassium depletion
   • Giving K+ leads to movement of H+ out of cells -> acidosis
   • Giving K+ stops hypokalemia-induced distal H+/K+ pump
3. Correct chloride depletion
   • Must give a reabsorbable anion to replace HCO3
4. Correct mineralocorticoid excess
   • Aldostorone antagonists if indicated (i.e. spironolactone)

• Note: if pt is edematous (CHF, cirrhosis), do NOT give normal saline
  • If pt is hypokalemic KCl will correct both hypoK AND alkalosis

See Also

• Acid-base disorders