Respiratory adjustment to chronic metabolic alkalosis in man

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Abstract

This study examined the ventilatory adjustment to chronic metabolic alkalosis induced under controlled conditions in normal human volunteers. Metabolic alkalosis induced by buffers (sodium bicarbonate, trishydroxymethylamine methane) or ethacrynic acid was associated with alveolar hypoventilation, as evidenced by a rise in arterial Pco2, a fall in arterial Po2, a reduced resting tidal volume, and a diminished ventilatory response to CO2 inhalation. Alveolar hypoventilation did not occur when metabolic alkalosis was induced in the same subjects by thiazide diuretics or aldosterone despite comparable elevations of the arterial blood pH and bicarbonate concentration.

Authors

Roberta M. Goldring, Paul J. Cannon, Henry O. Heinemann, Alfred P. Fishman