Back to #Basics: When to Use Sodium Bicarb in the ICU

Pulmcast returns after a hiatus, with hosts Jeremy and John discussing the use of sodium bicarbonate in medical settings. They outline their vision for the podcast as a platform for continuous learning and improvement, emphasizing the importance of feedback from their audience. The hosts review acid-base physiology, the effects of bicarb administration, and then delve into specific clinical scenarios, such as DKA, lactic acidosis, and cardiac arrest, discussing when bicarbonate therapy is appropriate and when it is not. They highlight the potential dangers of overusing concentrated bicarbonate solutions and suggest practical alternatives like diluted bicarb drips. The episode concludes with clear guidelines on when to administer bicarbonate, when to avoid it, and the importance of monitoring electrolytes during bicarbonate therapy.