Influence of acute and chronic respiratory alkalosis on preexisting chronic metabolic alkalosis

Abstract

The severity of the alkalemia produced by a reduction in arterial carbon dioxide tension (PaCO2) in normal humans and animals is ameliorated by buffer and renal responses that diminish the levels of plasma bicarbonate concentration ([HCO3-]p). These adjustments have even greater potential importance in preventing extreme degrees of alkalemia when hypocapnia occurs in the presence of an initially elevated [HCO3-]p (mixed respiratory and metabolic alkalosis). The aim of the present study was to characterize the acute (approximately 3 h) and chronic (5 days) acid-base effects of respiratory alkalosis when superimposed on chronic metabolic alkalosis. Ten dogs were made alkalotic by the repeated administration of ethacrynic acid and the provision of a chloride-restricted diet. Hypocapnia (delta PaCO2 = 10 mmHg) was then superimposed by exposing the animals to 11% O2 in an environmental chamber. A large fall in [HCO3-]p occurred in the acute hypocapnic phase that was further augmented in the chronic phase; the corresponding delta [HCO3-]p/delta PaCO2 slopes were 0.43 and 0.71 meq.l-1.mmHg-1, respectively, values substantially larger than those previously reported for hypocapnia in normals as well as in animals with preexisting HCl acidosis. Hyperlactatemia was responsible, on average, for 43% of the decrement in [HCO3-]p during acute hypocapnia but for only 20% of the delta [HCO3-]p during the chronic phase of the study. The striking decrement in [HCO3-]p observed in response to the chronic reduction in PaCO2 was sufficient not only to prevent the development of extreme alkalemia but also to offset entirely the effect of hypocapnia on plasma [H+].