Life-threatening reversible acidosis caused by alcohol abuse.
BACKGROUND
A 52-year-old man with a history of alcohol dependency was admitted to the emergency room with life-threatening anion gap metabolic acidosis. He admitted to drinking large quantities of alcohol during the previous day.


METHODS
Physical examination, blood and urine analyses, including calculation of his anion gap and plasma osmolal gap, and measurement of serum alcohol levels.


METHODS
Severe but rapidly reversible lactic acidosis and associated alcohol-induced ketoacidosis.


RESULTS
Intravenous thiamine, intravenous fluids and bicarbonate.
Shull
Philip D
PD
Department of Nephrology & Hypertension, Kaplan Medical Center, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
Rapoport
Jayson
J
D000138:Acidosis / Q000209:etiology*; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications*; D004630:Emergencies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged