Heart Changes in Alkalosis.

Electrocardiographic findings in alkalosis were first noted in 1922 by Carter and Andrus, who observed that the Q-T interval was prolonged by more than 30 per cent in three of their cases; this was associated with a lowering of the blood calcium. Barker, Arbor, Shrader, and Ronzoni (1939) produced artificial alkalosis by voluntary overventilation or by ingestion of sodium bicarbonate, the Q-T interval being slightly increased by the latter procedure. In a hysterical patient with hyperventilation a similar effect was produced, but this did not exceed normal limits; a reduction of the T wave was also observed. An opportunity occurred recently of studying the cardiac function in alkalosis.