Table 1.

Serum alkalinization with sodium acetate

	Indications and goals of therapy	Sodium bicarbonate	Sodium acetate
Bolus	Initial rapid treatment of QRS widening, severe cardiac arrhythmias, and salicylism; goal serum pH 7.5–7.55	1–2 mEq per kg body weight infused over 1–2 min	1 mEq per kg body weight infused over 15–20 min
Maintenance infusion	Maintaining alkaline serum pH (pH 7.5–7.55)	150 mEq diluted to 1 L with dextrose 5 % in water; infuse at twice the maintenance rate	150 mEq diluted to 1 L with dextrose 5 % in water; infuse at twice the maintenance rate