MUDPILES Mnemonic for High Anion Gap Metabolic Acidosis is one of the most popular and useful mnemonics to remember the causes of increased Anion Gap Metabolic Acidosis.
The most common causes of high anion gap metabolic acidosis are ketoacidosis, lactic acidosis, kidney failure, and toxic ingestions. But there are also several other causes that can be remembered using a mnemonic called MUD PILES.
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Metabolic acidosis can arise when the kidneys are not eliminating enough acid from the body or when the body produces too much acid. There are different types of metabolic acidosis that are categorized based on how they affect the anion gap.
The anion gap can be increased due to relatively low levels of cations other than sodium and potassium (e.g. calcium or magnesium). An anion gap is often considered as high if it exceeds 12 mEq/L.
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