Renal tubular acidosis: Pathology review

Renal tubular acidosis is a medical condition in which the kidney is unable to secrete acids or reabsorb bicarbonate from the body. When blood is filtered by the kidney, the filtrate passes through the tubules of the nephron, allowing for the exchange of salts, acid equivalents, and other solutes before it drains into the bladder as urine. The metabolic acidosis that results from renal tubular acidosis may be caused either by failure to recover sufficient bicarbonate ions from the filtrate in the proximal tubule or by insufficient secretion of hydrogen ions into the distal tubule. If left untreated, acidemia can cause peripheral vasodilation and shock. Treatment may include alkali supplements like potassium citrate or sodium bicarbonate to neutralize the acid in the blood.