ABSTRACT
This chapter provides definitions, a general classification, and an overview of the epidemiologic, pathophysiologic, clinical, diagnostic and prognostic aspects that are common to all forms of metabolic alkalosis. The major general categories of metabolic alkalosis-based on their pathophysiology-are treated in detail in the subsequent three chapters: Cl depletion (Chapter 17), Kþ depletion (Chapter 18), and miscellaneous disorders (Chapter 19).
