Interpretation of metabolic acidosis in critically ill patients according to the Stewart theory, ICU Case report

Abstract

The present case is about a 79 years old patient with a history of hypertension, cerebral stroke and untreated inguinal hernia diagnosed 30 years ago, who underwent an emergent umbilical and right crural herniorrhaphy, the surgical procedure was complicated by a regurgitation and aspiration of gastric content. Postoperatively the patient suffered from progressive shortness of breath, requiring ICU admission. She soon developed septic shock of pulmonary origin and with severe decompensated metabolic acidosis associated with lactic acidosis. The patient died after a short time in intensive care. We propose to analyse and illustrate the acid-base aspects of the case according to the Stewart approach, exposing the factors that determine the acid-base factors and their therapeutic implications.

Keywords

• Stewart, pH, acido base, Iones fuertes, pC02, ATOT