Exploring a case of a patient with a complicated anion gap metabolic acidosis, discussing the controversy around using sodium bicarbonate, the indications for fomepizole, and the importance of building a therapeutic relationship with ED patients. Also covers the initial steps in managing severe renal failure and metabolic acidosis, the lack of evidence supporting bicarbonate use, treatment of hyperkalemia and anion gap metabolic acidosis, and the potential causes of anion gap metabolic acidosis.
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Quick takeaways
Considering a differential diagnosis of metabolic acidosis using the mnemonic 'Gold MARK' instead of 'MUDPILES' can help identify potential causes.
Building a therapeutic relationship with patients and families is crucial in guiding clinical decisions, even in emergency situations where patients may be strangers.
Deep dives
Case presentation of a 66-year-old woman with lethargy and weakness
The case involves a 66-year-old woman who presented with a 10-day history of lethargy, weakness, decreased PO intake, non-bloody stools, and intermittent abdominal pain. The patient had a medical history of type 2 diabetes, gout, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, stroke, congestive heart failure, and chronic alcohol use. Physical examination revealed normal vitals, except for abdominal tenderness. However, blood work showed severe renal failure, hyperkalemia, metabolic acidosis, and a wide-end QRS on ECG.
Management of the patient
The medical team addressed the hyperkalemia by giving calcium to stabilize cardiac membranes and shifting agents like insulin and dextrose. They also considered the possible causes of the abnormal laboratory results, including toxic alcohol ingestion. However, based on the patient's history, clinical presentation, and discussions with the family, the team decided not to administer the specific antidote for toxic alcohol. They monitored the patient's lab values and started bicarbonate treatment to correct the acidosis. Further tests revealed positive ketones and high lipase, suggesting starvation ketosis and pancreatitis as contributing factors. The patient was admitted to the intensive care unit, where her potassium levels corrected quickly, and the acidosis resolved over a few days.
Key insights and takeaways
This case highlights the importance of considering a differential diagnosis of metabolic acidosis, utilizing the mnemonic 'Gold MARK' (glycol, oxyproline, lactate, D lactate, methanol, ASA, renal failure, and ketoacidosis) instead of the traditional 'MUDPILES.' It also emphasizes the significance of a good therapeutic relationship with patients and families in guiding clinical decisions, even in emergency situations where patients may be strangers. Furthermore, the case highlights the controversial nature of administering bicarbonate in severe metabolic acidosis, as there is limited literature and no set guidelines. In this case, bicarbonate was administered due to the patient's severe and persistent acidosis and overall clinical condition.
In this month's Best Case Ever on EM Cases Dr. Ross Claybo and Dr. Keerat Grewal tell the story of a patient with a complicated anion gap metabolic acidosis. We discuss how to sort through the differential diagnosis with a better mnemonic than MUDPILES, the controversy around administering sodium bicarbonate for metabolic acidosis, the indications for fomepizole and the value of taking time to to build a therapeutic relationship with your ED patients...
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