Acid-base disturbances, such as metabolic or respiratory alkalosis, are relatively common in critically ill patients. We examined the effects of alkalosis (hypocapnic or metabolic alkalosis) on alveolar fluid reabsorption in the isolated and continuously perfused rat lung model. We found that alveolar fluid reabsorption after 1 hour was impaired by low levels of CO2 partial pressure (PCO2; 10 a...

One hundred sixty seven survivors among very low birthweight infants with a gestational age of less than 35 weeks have been studied prospectively. The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship of severe prenatal and perinatal complications and hypocarbic alkalosis, defined as a carbon dioxide tension (PaCO2) of less than or equal to 2.67 kPa and a pH of 7.50 or greater during the fi...

Metabolic alkalosis commonly results from excessive hydrochloric acid (HCl), potassium (K(+)) and water (H2O) loss from the stomach or through the urine. The plasma anion gap increases in non-hypoproteinemic metabolic alkalosis due to an increased negative charge equivalent on albumin and the free ionized calcium (Ca(++)) content of plasma decreases. The mean citrate load in all patients was 87...

Acid-base and potassium disorders occur frequently in the setting of liver disease. As the liver's metabolic function worsens, particularly in the setting of renal dysfunction, hemodynamic compromise, and hepatic encephalopathy, acid-base disorders ensue. The most common acid-base disorder is respiratory alkalosis. Metabolic acidosis alone or in combination with respiratory alkalosis also is co...

Generation and Maintenance of Metabolic Alkalosis The pathogenesis of metabolic alkalosis involves both the generation and maintenance of this disorder ( 1 ). The generation of metabolic alkabosis refers to the addition of new HCO to the blood as a result of either loss of acid or gain of alkali. New HCO1 may be generated by either renal or extrarenal mechanisms. Because the kidneys have an eno...