Lactic Acidosis: An Update

Abstract

Lactic acidosis is an etiologically and biochemically heterogeneous disorder that is due to the overproduc tion of lactic acid or the underutilization of lactate. It occurs with disorders in which tissue oxygenation is impaired (Type A) and with disorders in which it is not (Type B). Lactic acidosis is an anion-gap metabolic acidosis in which the lactate concentration is greater than or equal to 5 mM and the systemic pH is less than 7.30. Treatment is largely empiric and generally unsatis factory. The use of sodium bicarbonate in lactic acidosis is currently controversial. The adverse effects of bicar bonate and the beneficial effects of dichloroacetate in experimental models of lactic acidosis are reviewed.