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| Image Credit: Pixabay |
Northwestern University
Originally Published: Modern Resident, June/July 2013
The focus of this critical care pearl is to discuss the use of bicarbonate drips for severe metabolic acidosis, as well as alternative options, which are available. Given the current nature of medication shortages, it is valuable to learn about the alternative options available for use in some of our most critically ill patients.
When approaching a patient with metabolic acidosis, it is important to consider the cause of their acidosis (e.g., increased generation of acids as in lactic acidosis, ketoacidosis and ingestions vs. loss of bicarbonate or decreased acid excretion). As this is a relatively broad topic, this critical care pearl will focus on the treatment of lactic acidosis, as treatment of ingestions may vary with the substance ingested.
