Acidosis metabólica de etiología tóxica en La unidad de Cuidado Intensivo

Abstract

Metabolic acidosis is a frequent find in intensive unit care patients. Its etiology study could be difficult. Sometimes, the toxic cause of this alteration is not considered as a differential diagnosis. This revision has the purpose to expose the main metabolic acidosis causes in a poisoned patient. When the clinical history of the patient is not completely investigated, arrive to the toxic induced acidosis is not easy; but is the presence of metabolic acidosis associated to specific signs and biochemical alterations that can lead to suspect substance intoxication. Metabolic acidosis could be associated to a normal, elevated o diminished anion gap. Elevated or diminished anion gap are linked to more serious poisoning; and is the grade of acidosis the predictive factor of severity and mortality.