Alkali Therapy in Lactic Acidosis

Authors

Zeid J. Khitan, MD, Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of MedicineFollow
Deepak Malhotra, MD, The University of Toledo School of MedicineFollow
Dominic S. Raj, MD, George Washington University School of MedicineFollow
Antonios H. Tzamaloukas, MD, University of New Mexico School of MedicineFollow
Joseph I. Shapiro, MD, Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of MedicineFollow

Author Credentials

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Keywords

lactic acidosis, sodium bicarbonate, carbicarb

Disciplines

Critical Care | Nephrology | Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases | Pharmaceutical Preparations | Therapeutics

Abstract

This report attempts to frame the debate about clinical administration of sodium bicarbonate in the setting of lactic acidosis in terms of simple questions. Specifically, we address why we develop lactic acidosis in some circumstances, how acute lactic acidosis impairs cardiovascular function and why sodium bicarbonate may have deleterious effects which limit its utility. We also attempt to explore treatment alternatives to sodium bicarbonate.

Recommended Citation

Khitan, ZJ, Malhotra, D, Raj, DS, Tzamaloukas, AH, Shapiro, JI. Alkali Therapy in Lactic Acidosis. Marshall J Med. 2015; 1(1): 52 DOI: