Why physicians use sodium bicarbonate during cardiac arrest: A cross-sectional survey study of adult and pediatric clinicians

Background: Despite recommendations against routine use, sodium bicarbonate (SB) is administered in approximately 50% of adult and pediatric in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA).

Methods: Cross-sectional electronic survey of adult and pediatric attending physicians at two academic hospitals in Boston, Massachusetts. The survey included two IHCA vignettes. Additional open- and closed-ended items explored clinician beliefs surrounding intra-arrest SB and perspectives on a hypothetical clinical trial comparing SB with placebo.

Results: Of the 356 physicians invited, 224 (63 %) responded. Of these, 54 (24 %) said they would "probably" or "definitely give" SB in Scenario 1 (10-minute asystolic arrest) compared to 110 (49 %) for Scenario 2 (20-minute asystolic arrest; p < 0.001). The most frequently reported indications for SB were: hyperkalemia (78 %); metabolic acidosis (76 %); tricyclic anti-depressant overdose (71 %); and prolonged arrest duration (64 %). Of the 207 (92 %) respondents who reported using intra-arrest SB in at least some circumstances, the most common reasons for use were: "last ditch effort" in a prolonged arrest (75 %) and belief that there were physiologic benefits (63 %). When asked of the importance of a clinical trial to guide intra-arrest SB use, 188 (84 %) respondents felt it was at least of average importance, and 140 (63 %) said they would be "somewhat" or "very comfortable" enrolling patients in a trial comparing SB and placebo in IHCA.

Conclusions: Physicians reported practice variations surrounding cardiac arrest management with SB. Respondents commonly cited metabolic acidosis and prolonged arrest duration as indications for intra-arrest SB, despite not being supported by the American Heart Association's advanced life support guidelines.