We have located links that may give you full text access.
Metabolic acidosis in patients with sepsis: epiphenomenon or part of the pathophysiology?
Critical Care and Resuscitation : Journal of the Australasian Academy of Critical Care Medicine 2004 September
OBJECTIVE: To review the mechanisms of metabolic acidosis in sepsis.
DATA SOURCES: Articles and published reviews on metabolic acidosis in sepsis.
SUMMARY OF REVIEW: Sepsis affects millions of patients each year and efforts to limit mortality have been limited. It is associated with many features one of which is acidosis which may be a result of the underlying pathophysiology (e.g. respiratory failure, shock, renal failure) or may also result from the way in which we manage critically ill patients. Lactic acidosis identifies septic patients at risk and aggressive fluid resuscitation (along with inotropes and blood in some patients) to reverse acidosis and improve venous oxygen saturation will improve mortality. However, most patients with severe sepsis or septic shock receive 0.9% saline and therefore may develop hyperchloraemic acidosis as a consequence of their resuscitation. Therefore alterations in acid-base balance are almost always in the background in the management of patients with sepsis. What is unknown is whether acidosis is in the causal pathway for organ dysfunction or whether it is simply an epiphenomenon. Changes in acid-base balance, of the type and magnitude commonly encountered in patients with sepsis, significantly alter the release of inflammatory mediators. Less significant changes in the immune response have already been implicated in influencing outcome for patients with sepsis and a reduction in acidosis in septic patients may have the same effect.
CONCLUSIONS: Understanding the effects of acid-base on the inflammatory response is relevant as all forms of metabolic acidosis appear to be associated with prolonged hospital and ICU length of stay. Since metabolic acidosis is both commonly caused and treated by clinicians, understanding of the physiologic consequences of altered blood pH is imperative.
DATA SOURCES: Articles and published reviews on metabolic acidosis in sepsis.
SUMMARY OF REVIEW: Sepsis affects millions of patients each year and efforts to limit mortality have been limited. It is associated with many features one of which is acidosis which may be a result of the underlying pathophysiology (e.g. respiratory failure, shock, renal failure) or may also result from the way in which we manage critically ill patients. Lactic acidosis identifies septic patients at risk and aggressive fluid resuscitation (along with inotropes and blood in some patients) to reverse acidosis and improve venous oxygen saturation will improve mortality. However, most patients with severe sepsis or septic shock receive 0.9% saline and therefore may develop hyperchloraemic acidosis as a consequence of their resuscitation. Therefore alterations in acid-base balance are almost always in the background in the management of patients with sepsis. What is unknown is whether acidosis is in the causal pathway for organ dysfunction or whether it is simply an epiphenomenon. Changes in acid-base balance, of the type and magnitude commonly encountered in patients with sepsis, significantly alter the release of inflammatory mediators. Less significant changes in the immune response have already been implicated in influencing outcome for patients with sepsis and a reduction in acidosis in septic patients may have the same effect.
CONCLUSIONS: Understanding the effects of acid-base on the inflammatory response is relevant as all forms of metabolic acidosis appear to be associated with prolonged hospital and ICU length of stay. Since metabolic acidosis is both commonly caused and treated by clinicians, understanding of the physiologic consequences of altered blood pH is imperative.
Full text links
Related Resources
Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university
For the best experience, use the Read mobile app
All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.
By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.
Your Privacy Choices
You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now
Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university
For the best experience, use the Read mobile app