title: Alkalemia associated with renal failure. Correction by hemodialysis with low-bicarbonate dialysate.
abstract: Hemodialysis with a low-bicarbonate dialysate was used in four patients for the simultaneous treatment of acute renal failure and fluid overload associated with alkalemia. All patients had a mixed acid-base disorder, namely respiratory alkalosis superimposed on metabolic alkalosis. Correction of alkalemia and azotemia was accomplished with low-bicarbonate dialysis without signs of hemodynamic deterioration. This successful experience, coupled with the reported side effects of acetate-containing dialysate, would suggest the use of a low-bicarbonate dialysate as a recommended therapy of renal failure associated with alkalemia.
mesh_terms: D058186:Acute Kidney Injury / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D000471:Alkalosis / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000379:methods*