Therapeutic target
Restoration of a balanced acid-base balance.
Therapy recommendations
- Metabolic acidosis can be poorly compensated by the body, since this would require a reduction in respiration, which is only possible to a limited extent, since the body must continue to be supplied with sufficient oxygen.
- Treatment of chloride-sensitive alkalosis (urine chloride < 10 mmol/l).
- Sodium chloride solution and possibly potassium substitution (for hypokalemia (potassium deficiency)) required.
- Treatment of chloride-resistant alkalosis (urine chloride > 20 mmol/l).
- Potassium substitution (replacement of potassium), but no volume administration.
- If the above measures do not work, then a trial of hydrochloric acid, arginine/lysine hydrochloric acid can be undertaken if the pH is > 7.55.
- See also under “Further therapy“.
