[Renal disorders in cirrhotic patients: functional renal failure and metabolic acidosis (author's transl)].

A study of renal tubular acidification in two cirrhotic patients with functional renal failure and partly compensated metabolic acidosis. Unlike renal distal tubular acidosis, but alike what is seen in organic renal failure, renal acidification was nearly normal and could not account per se for the development of metabolic acidosis. The multiple cause of the association in the cirrhotic of hyperchloremia and hypobicarbonatemia are reviewed (respiratory alkalosis, metabolic acidosis due to renal failure, distal tubular acidosis) and the diagnostic procedures outlined.