features of a metabolic acidosis
Last reviewed 01/2018
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