Refractory metabolic acidosis in patients with sepsis following hemiarthroplasty for femoral neck fracture: a causative role for paracetamol and flucloxacillin?. (21st July 2011)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Amer, Halima; Dockery, Frances; Barrett, Nicholas; George, Marc; Witek, Karolina; Stanton, Jeremy; Back, Diane
• Is Part Of: BMJ case reports. Volume 2011
• Publication Date: 2011-07-21
• Subjects: Medicine -- Case studies -- Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1136/bcr.05.2011.4292
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1757-790X

Abstract

Abstract : The authors report two cases of pyroglutamic acidosis as a result of paracetamol and flucloxacillin therapy in patients with prosthesis infection following hemiarthroplasty for neck of femur fractures. Pyroglutamic acidosis is an important and often unrecognised cause of refractory metabolic acidosis that disproportionately affects older women, and can be caused by drugs such as paracetamol and flucloxacillin in the setting of sepsis, renal failure and malnutrition. Although relatively rare, the widespread use of these drugs in orthopaedic patients confirms the importance of this disorder.