11 Jun 2025 • Sodium bicarbonate therapy may offer a modest but significant survival benefit in critically ill adults with metabolic acidosis (pH < 7.3, PCO₂ ≤ 45 mmHg).

Key Findings:

• Among 6157 eligible ICU admissions, 29% received bicarbonate, and its use was associated with a 1.9% absolute reduction in 30-day ICU mortality (RR 0.86).
• Benefits extended across key subgroups—including patients with acute kidney injury, vasopressor use, and severe acidosis (pH < 7.2)—and were reaffirmed in sensitivity analyses.

The findings highlight a potential life-saving role for bicarbonate therapy.

Source: Springer Nature Link | Read Full Story