title: Acid-base disorders in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a pathophysiological review.
abstract: The authors describe the pathophysiological mechanisms leading to development of acidosis in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and its deleterious effects on outcome and mortality rate. Renal compensatory adjustments consequent to acidosis are also described in detail with emphasis on differences between acute and chronic respiratory acidosis. Mixed acid-base disturbances due to comorbidity and side effects of some drugs in these patients are also examined, and practical considerations for a correct diagnosis are provided.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Systemic Diseases, University of Catania, 95100 Catania, Italy. cmbruno@unict.it
authors.forename: Cosimo Marcello
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Bruno
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Valenti
mesh_terms: D000137:Acid-Base Imbalance / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*