Last update:
10-Sep-2004

Lactic acidosis is one of the most frequent forms of nosocomial metabolic acidosis. The overproduction and accumulation of lactic acid in the tissues develops under conditions of tissue hypoxia and hypoperfusion, and is associated with disturbances in mitochondrial function. Cardiac arrest, shock, sepsis, and cardiac and respiratory insufficiency constitute the most frequent causes of lactic acidosis in the clinical setting. Treatment is effective only when it achieves resolution of the primary cause which provoked the acidosis. Bicarbonate administration is rather ineffective, and is reserved for cases with arterial pH <7.10-7.15 only. Alternative therapeutic regimes have been used including calcicarb, dichloroacetate, thiamine, n-3 fatty acids, without their effect being clinically established.

Key words: Bicarbonates, Lactate, Lactic acid, Metabolic acidosis.