Bicarbonate Buffer Amount

Name: Bicarbonate Buffer Amount calculator — MedScore
Creator: Nabil Alzein

Estimated NaHCO₃ amount to make up a base deficit: base deficit × 0.2 × body weight

Base deficit (mmol/L) — enter −BE as a positive number (BE −12 → 12)

Body weight

Enter the base deficit and body weight to calculate

About this score

When to use

Estimates the amount of bicarbonate that corresponds to a base deficit: base deficit × 0.2 × body weight, the factor 0.2 being the extracellular share of body weight. ⁦[1]⁩

Pearls and pitfalls

In clinical studies of lactic acidosis and ketoacidosis, bicarbonate administration has not reduced morbidity or mortality; the number here is an estimate of the deficit, not a recommendation. ⁦[2]⁩

About the condition

Acute metabolic acidosis is associated with higher morbidity and mortality, partly through depressed cardiovascular function and arrhythmias. ⁦[2]⁩

Summarised from the numbered sources under Evidence. Check the source before relying on a statement.

Evidence

[1] Original publication

Rehm M, Hofmann-Kiefer K, Conzen P. Blutgasanalyse. In: Marx G, Muhl E, Zacharowski K, et al., eds. Die Intensivmedizin. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer; 2015 (DOI 10.1007/978-3-642-54675-4_26). Gives NaHCO₃ [mmol] = SBE × 0.2 × body weight [kg], the factor 0.2 being the extracellular share of body weight; for THAM the same chapter uses 0.3. Book chapter, no PubMed record.

Die Intensivmedizin (Springer), 2015

[2] Guideline

Kraut JA, Madias NE. Treatment of acute metabolic acidosis: a pathophysiologic approach. In clinical studies of lactic acidosis and ketoacidosis, bicarbonate administration has not reduced morbidity or mortality or improved cellular function; the amount calculated here is an estimate of the base deficit, not evidence that replacing it helps.

Nature Reviews Nephrology, 2012

Open source

Last reviewed: 2026-10

Report an error in this calculator

MedScore is an educational and clinical decision-support tool. It does not provide a diagnosis, a treatment, or a drug-dosing recommendation, and it does not replace clinical judgement or local guidelines. Confirm every result against the original source before acting on it. The treating clinician remains responsible for all decisions.