Critical Care Nephrology

Renal Tubular Acidosis

Objectives This chapter will: 1. Define renal tubular acidosis. 2. Review the types of this disorder. 3. Describe the relevant renal acid-base physiology and pathophysiology. 4. Present clinical methods of diagnosis and differential diagnosis. 5. Discuss treatment. Definition Renal tubular…

Hyperlactatemia and Lactic Acidosis

Objectives This chapter will: 1. Review the major factors that modulate physiologic lactate production and utilization. 2. Discuss the mechanisms that modulate lactate during critical illness. 3. Review acid-base aspects of lactic acidosis. 4. Review causes of lactic acidosis that…

Metabolic Acidosis

Objectives This chapter will: 1. Provide a brief review of the quantitative (physiochemical) approach. 2. Describe the effects of acidosis in human physiology. 3. Describe the source of body acids during health and major critical care syndromes through the lens…

Acid-Base Physiology and Diagnosis of Disorders

Objectives This chapter will: 1. Review in depth and criticize some of the foundations for current acid-base discourse. 2. Describe a model based on the strong requirement for charge balance in any fluid. To facilitate this, the notion of strong…

Aldosterone Antagonists, Amiloride, and Triamterene

Objectives This chapter will: 1. Review the structure, mechanism of action, and biologic effects of aldosterone antagonists, amiloride, and triamterene (the potassium-sparing diuretics). 2. Contrast the properties of the potassium-sparing diuretics with other diuretic drugs. 3. Discuss the renal and…

Vaptans and the Treatment of Hyponatremia

Objectives This chapter will: 1. Explain vaptan characteristics. 2. Review the diagnosis and management of hyponatremia. 3. Review vaptans for use in treatment of hyponatremia, especially with heart failure, cirrhosis, and syndromes of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion. Kidneys play an…

Loop and Thiazide Diuretics

Objectives This chapter will: 1. Explain the mechanism of action of loop and thiazide diuretics. 2. Discuss pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of loop and thiazide diuretics. 3. Discuss resistance to loop and thiazide diuretics. 4. Discuss the available evidence to guide…

Blood Transfusion Therapy

Objectives This chapter will: 1. Review the transfusion indications for red blood cells, platelets, plasma, and cryoprecipitate in critically ill patients. 2. Outline the principles of massive transfusion. 3. Discuss common transfusion reactions and their management. Over the last two…

Principles of Fluid Therapy

Objectives This chapter will: 1. Describe the physiologic rationale for fluid resuscitation in the intensive care unit. 2. Discuss choice of fluid, volume, and end points for intravenous fluid resuscitation. Administering intravenous (IV) fluid is one of the most common…