Metabolic Acidosis of Chronic Kidney Disease and Cardiovascular Disorders

Metabolic Acidosis in Patients with CKD: Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, and Treatment

BACKGROUND

Metabolic acidosis in CKD is diagnosed in patients with plasma or venous blood bicarbonate concentration lower than 22 mmol/L. Metabolic acidosis occurs in about 20% of patients with CKD. Metabolic acidosis may lead to dysfunction of many systems and organs as well as CKD progression. Currently, sodium bicarbonate is mainly used for pharmacological treatment of metabolic acidosis in patients with CKD. Veverimer is a new drug dedicated to treatment of metabolic acidosis in patients with CKD. Orally given veverimer binds hydrogen ions in the intestines and subsequently is excreted from the body with feces. Clinical studies have shown that veverimer is effective in increasing serum bicarbonate concentrations in CKD patients with metabolic acidosis. Here, we present review of the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of metabolic acidosis in CKD patients.

SUMMARY

Metabolic acidosis is common in patients with CKD and contributes to CKD progression and many complications, which worsen the prognosis in these patients. Currently, sodium bicarbonate is mainly used in metabolic acidosis treatment. The role of the new drug veverimer in the metabolic acidosis therapy needs further studies.

KEY MESSAGE

The aim of this review article is to summarize the current knowledge concerning the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of metabolic acidosis in CKD patients.

Severe Persistent Hyperkalemia with Electrocardiogram Changes in a Patient with Hyperaldosteronism

A 62-year-old female presented to the emergency department (ED) with fatigue and generalized body weakness for the last three days. Upon arrival, initial ECG showed wide complex tachycardia with sine waves and a heart rate (HR) ranging between 100-170 bpm. She was otherwise vitally stable. The patient had a past medical history of hyperaldosteronism, type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), chronic kidney disease (CKD) with microalbuminuria, and hypertension. She also had a history of cerebrovascular accident (CVA) and residual left-sided weakness more pronounced in the upper limb. Initial venous blood gas (VBG) analysis showed a potassium level of more than 10 mmol/L, chloride 114 mmol/L, bicarbonate 9 mmol/L, sodium 135 mmol/L, and pH of 7.1. Treatment for hyperkalemia was started immediately with calcium gluconate 1 gm that effectively narrowed her QRS complex and normalized her ECG. Salbutamol nebulization, glucose/insulin infusion, and calcium polystyrene syrup were given. Later, she was started on 100 mg sodium bicarbonate infusion, and Foley’s catheter was inserted to follow urine output (UOP) strictly. However, she did not show a decrease in serum potassium levels. Then the patient underwent hemodialysis for two hours. Her first potassium reading after hemodialysis was 5.2 mmol/L. The purpose of this case report is to emphasize the importance of hemodialysis in patients with persistent severe life-threatening hyperkalemia.