Sodium Bicarbonate Confirms Intravenous Position of Catheters in Children

Objective: To identify whether intravenous injection of 2 concentrations of sodium bicarbonate will have diagnostic utility in verifying intravenous positions of catheters in mechanically ventilated children. Design/Participants: This prospective, clinical, controlled study involved 18 ASA I to II children, aged 1 to 8 years, undergoing elective surgery under general anesthesia with tracheal intubation. Methods: After induction of general anesthesia, each participant received a 22-gauge IV cannula. Placement was confirmed by free aspiration of blood. Patients were intubated and mechanically ventilated. Each patient received 1 mL/kg boluses of 0.9% normal saline, 2.1% sodium bicarbonate, or 1.05% sodium bicarbonate. Each of the 3 solutions was given as a bolus and injected in a randomized order in 5-minute intervals. Patient demographics, end-tidal carbon dioxide, heart rate, and noninvasive arterial blood pressure were followed and recorded for analysis. Venous blood samples were obt more...