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