Lactic acidosis: pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment.
Lactic acidosis is common in severely ill patients. We describe four patients with a lactic acidosis combined with other acid-base disturbances. In daily practice it is important to consider these combined disturbances since there is no specific treatment in lactic acidosis. Treating the underlying causes of the acid-base disturbances is the only warranted intervention. However, lactic acidosis is still associated with high mortality.
van der Beek
A
A
Department of General Internal Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands. babe.beek@wxs.nl
de Meijer
P H
PH
Meinders
A E
AE
D000140:Acidosis, Lactic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D000368:Aged; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged