Sodium Bicarbonate and Renal Function after Cardiac Surgery

Abstract

The authors have performed a novel, prospectively planned individual patient data meta-analysis of the double-blind randomized trials in this important field. Urinary alkalinization with sodium bicarbonate infusion is not associated with a significant reduction in the overall risk of acute kidney injury in cardiac surgery patients. However, urinary alkalinization was associated with significant renal protection in the subgroup of patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass graft surgery suggesting that further investigation in these patients is warranted.