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Critical Care Nephrology pp 279–296Cite as

Pathophysiology of metabolic acid-base disturbances in patients with critical illness

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Abstract

Because of the impact of hydrogen ion concentration ([H+]) on biological function [1], acid-base balance is one of the fundamental homeostatic needs of all organisms. Changes in [H+] affect the rate constants of many enzymes as well as cell cycle, cell proliferation and signal transduction. Intracellular concentrations of calcium ion and cyclic adenosine mono-phosphate (cAMP) are also affected by the [H] [1]. This chapter will discuss the mechanisms involved in clinically important disturbances of acid-base balance, with a particular emphasis on the physical-chemical approach to acid-base presented in the previous chapter.

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  1. Sheldon Magder
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Magder, S. (1998). Pathophysiology of metabolic acid-base disturbances in patients with critical illness. In: Critical Care Nephrology. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-5482-6_24

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-5482-6_24

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-6306-7

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