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Hypochloremic coma - Diagnosis
Alexey Kryvenko, medical expert
Last reviewed: 06.07.2025
Last reviewed: 06.07.2025
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Laboratory diagnostics of hypochloremic coma
- Complete blood count: increased red blood cell and hemoglobin content (blood thickening), hematocrit up to 55% or more, leukocytosis, increased ESR.
- General urine analysis: decrease in the amount and relative density of urine - proteinuria appears, cylindruria is possible.
- Biochemical blood test: decreased sodium (usually below 120 mmol/l), potassium (below 2.5-2 mmol/l), chlorine (below 85 mmol/l), total protein, increased blood urea, creatinine, possibly increased bilirubin levels.
- Acid-base balance study: metabolic alkalosis.
- ECG: diffuse changes in the myocardium, signs of hypokalemia: smoothing and deformation of the T wave, shift of the ST interval downwards from the baseline.