Metabolic alkalosis after orthotopic liver transplantation.

To ascertain the etiology of metabolic alkalosis (MA) following orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) the records of patients with 123 consecutive OLTs from 1995 to 2000 were reviewed. Metabolic alkalosis occurred in 51.2% of patients. Patients with MA had a larger fluid deficit (-3991 +/- 4324 vs. -1018 +/- 4863, p < 0.05), cumulative furosemide dose (406 +/- 356 vs. 243 +/- 189, p < 0.02), and citrate load from blood transfusions (9164 +/- 4870 vs. 7809 +/- 3967, p < 0.05). There was no difference in serum lactate concentration (3.15 +/- 1.63 vs. 3.11 +/- 1.91) in patients with and without MA. The duration of ICU stay was longer in patients with MA (14.9 +/- 15.3 vs. 5.3 +/- 3.9 days, p < 0.004). Treatment of severe MA in 19 (15.4%) patients consisted of 0.1 N hydrochloric acid and/or acetazolamide. Hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia occurred in 37.4% and 59.3% of patients, respectively. In conclusion, MA is a common post-OLT complication that is associated with a longer ICU stay. Diuretic-induced volume depletion, the citrate load from blood transfusions, hypokalemia, and hypomagnesemia contribute to the pathogenesis of MA in OLT.