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Features of a metabolic acidosis

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

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The classical clinical finding in the patient with metabolic acidosis is the deep, sighing breathing pattern which is termed Kussmaul respiration.

The physiological consequences of metabolic acidosis include:

  • impaired myocardial contractility:
    • the effect is independent of hypoxia
    • cardiac failure may induce lactic acidosis

  • increased risk of ventricular fibrillation

  • pulmonary vasoconstriction

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