Lactic acidosis: pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment

Abstract Lactic acidosis is common in severely ill patients. We describe four patients with a lactic acidosis combined with other acid–base disturbances. In daily practice it is important to consider these combined disturbances since there is no specific treatment in lactic acidosis. Treating the underlying causes of the acid–base disturbances is the only warranted intervention. However, lactic acidosis is still associated with high mortality.