Sodium bicarbonate—the bicarbonate challenge test in metabolic acidosis: A practical consideration

SummaryThe indications for sodium bicarbonate administration have more or less remained unchanged for years although enthusiasm for its use has waxed and waned. This article explores the combination of a bicarbonate challenge test with defined endpoints of haemodynamic resuscitation as a semi-quantitative method for differentiating between simultaneous reasons for severe metabolic acidosis.