What is the definition of osmolality? Osmolarity?
Osmolality = number of particles of solute per kg of solvent
Osmolarity = number of particles of solute per liter of solvent
What is the normal osmolality for dogs and cats
Dogs: 290-310 mOsm/kg
Cats: 290-330 mOsm/kg
How can serum osmolality be measured
Using a freezing point depression osmometer
What is the osmolal gap and what can cause an increased osmolal gap
Osmolal gap = difference between measured and calculate serum osmolality
Should be close to 0 -> any increase indicates presence of other osmole(s) in circulation:
- lactate
- ethanol
- ethylene glycol
- phosphates
- sulfates
- acetylsalicylic acid
- mannitol
- methanol
- radiographic contrast
- sorbitol (/!\ in patients having received activated charcoal with sorbitol - can falsely elevate osmolal gap)
- propylene glycol
What is the difference between osmolarity and tonicity
Osmolarity includes all the osmoles in solution whereas tonicity only refers to effective osmoses
What is the repartition of total body water between the different compartments
Water = 60% total body weight
1/3 intracellular, 2/3 extracellular (75% interstitial, 25% intravascular)
What are the receptors in charge of osmolality regulation? How sensitive are they?
Osmoreceptors in the hypothalamus.
Detect changes of 2-3 mOsm/L
What are the 2 triggers for ADH release and they respective receptors
Secreted by the pituitary gland
What are the 2 mechanisms of regulation of plasma osmolality
What does total body sodium determine
Hydration status (independent from natremia)
What are the mechanisms of cerebral adaptation to hypernatremia / hyponatremia
Free water deficit formula
Free water deficit (L) = [(current Na / normal Na)-1] * 0.6 * body weight (kg)
What is the rate of Na correction in a chronically hypernatremic patient without clinical signs? With clinical signs? In acute hypernatremia?
(as per Silverstein - achieved by giving D5W following the total body water deficit)
In a hyponatremic patient, how is total body sodium likely to be:
- in a dog with CHF
- in a dog with GI losses
List 5 causes of hyponatremia and 5 causes of hypernatremia
Where are myelinolysis (= osmotic demyelination syndrome) lesions commonly seen
Thalamus
What is the treatment recommendation for clinical acute hyponatremia? Chronic?
Sodium deficit formula
Sodium deficit (mmol) = (target Na+ - patient Na+) * 0.6 * body weight (kg)
What level of hyponatremia puts patients at risk of osmotic demyelination syndrome
Na < 110 mmol/L
How do blood pH and osmolality influence K concentration
What hormones are involved in changes in K concentration
Catecholamines, insulin, aldosterone
What is the kaliuretic feedforward control
Changes in K concentration are sensed in the stomach and hepatic portal region and send signals to the kidneys to adjust kaliuresis based on intake
List causes of hypokalemia
What are the 4 categories of consequences of hypokalemia