SODium BICarbonate for metabolic acidosis in the Intensive Care Unit: A pilot, multicentre, randomized, double-blind clinical trial

Abstract

Metabolic acidosis refers to any process that elevates the concentration of hydrogen ions in the body, and is commonly encountered in critical illness. Lactic acidosis, diabetic ketoacidosis, and hyperchloremic acidosis are major examples seen in the intensive care unit (ICU). Metabolic acidosis may impair cardiac function, and sodium bicarbonate can be used to normalise blood pH. Despite being in common clinical usage, the clinical efficacy of sodium bicarbonate is still uncertain. Previous studies exploring the effects of sodium bicarbonate therapy have been limited and of variable quality.

The trial aims to assess if the infusion of sodium bicarbonate in vasopressor-dependent patients with moderate metabolic acidosis admitted to the ICU increases the number of vasopressor-free hours at day 7.