Proximal renal tubular acidosis in the tetralogy of fallot.

A 9-year-old girl presented with tetralogy of Fallot and moderate metabolic acidosis. Despite a Blalock's fistula there was evidence of chronic hypoxia with cyanosis, clubbing of fingers and toes and very elevated blood hematocrit values. Renal acidification and bicarbonate titration demonstrated the existence of proximal renal tubular acidosis: renal bicarbonate threshold was low (18 mmoles/1) and normal urinary acidificaiton was present at subthreshold serum bicarbonate levels. Following corrective heart surgery, blood acid-base values and renal reabsorption of bicarbonate became normal. A causal relationship between extracellular fluid volume expansion dependent on the high hematocrit and proximal renal tubular acidosis is suggested.