For what purpose is pediatric Sodium Bicarb administered in cases of overdose?

Pediatric Sodium Bicarbonate is administered in cases of overdose specifically for conditions related to TCA (tricyclic antidepressants) and similar compounds. The rationale behind this is that TCA overdoses can lead to metabolic acidosis and an increased risk of life-threatening arrhythmias due to their effects on cardiac conduction and sodium channels. Sodium Bicarbonate acts to address metabolic acidosis by increasing the blood pH and helping to stabilize myocardial membranes, thereby reducing the risk of arrhythmias.

In cases of overdose from TCA, the alkaline environment created by Sodium Bicarbonate can help facilitate the binding of drug molecules to their respective sites, thereby reducing toxicity and mitigating the effects of the overdose. The other scenarios mentioned, such as cardiac arrest, septic shock, and hypovolemic shock, do not primarily warrant the use of Sodium Bicarbonate for the same therapeutic purpose, as those conditions typically require different management strategies and medications.