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In vivo conditioning of acid–base equilibrium by crystalloid solutions: an experimental study on pigs

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Abstract

Purpose

Large infusion of crystalloids may induce acid-base alterations according to their strong ion difference ([SID]). We wanted to prove in vivo, at constant PCO2, that if the [SID] of the infused crystalloid is equal to baseline plasma bicarbonate, the arterial pH remains unchanged, if lower it decreases, and if higher it increases.

Methods

In 12 pigs, anesthetized and mechanically ventilated at PCO2 ≈40 mmHg, 2.2 l of crystalloids with a [SID] similar to (lactated Ringer’s 28.3 mEq/l), lower than (normal saline 0 mEq/l), and greater than (rehydrating III 55 mEq/l) baseline bicarbonate (29.22 ± 2.72 mEq/l) were infused for 120 min in randomized sequence. Four hours of wash-out were allowed between the infusions. Every 30 min up to minute 120 we measured blood gases, plasma electrolytes, urinary volume, pH, and electrolytes. Albumin, hemoglobin, and phosphates were measured at time 0 and 120 min.

Results

Lactated Ringer’s maintained arterial pH unchanged (from 7.47 ± 0.06 to 7.47 ± 0.03) despite a plasma dilution around 12%. Normal saline caused a reduction in pH (from 7.49 ± 0.03 to 7.42 ± 0.04) and rehydrating III induced an increase in pH (from 7.46 ± 0.05 to 7.49 ± 0.04). The kidney reacted to the infusion, minimizing the acid-base alterations, by increasing/decreasing the urinary anion gap, primarily by changing sodium and chloride concentrations. Lower urine volume after normal saline infusion was possibly due to its greater osmolarity and chloride concentration as compared to the other solutions.

Conclusions

Results support the hypothesis that at constant PCO2, pH changes are predictable from the difference between the [SID] of the infused solution and baseline plasma bicarbonate concentration.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Fabio Ambrosetti for his technical support, to GE Healthcare for providing mechanical ventilators, to A. De Mori S.p.A., Italy, who kindly provided the blood gas analyzer, and to Roberto Castenetto for technical support with the KING analyzer. This study was supported in part by an Italian grant provided by Fondazione Fiera di Milano for Translational and Competitive Research (2007, Luciano Gattinoni).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Anestesiologia, Terapia Intensiva e Scienze Dermatologiche, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico di Milano, Università degli Studi, Via Francesco Sforza, 35 20122, Milano, Italy

    T. Langer, E. Carlesso, A. Protti, M. Monti, B. Comini, L. Zani, D. T. Andreis, G. E. Iapichino, P. Caironi & L. Gattinoni

  2. Centro di Ricerche Chirurgiche Precliniche, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico di Milano, Milan, Italy

    D. Dondossola & S. Gatti

  3. Dipartimento di Anestesia, Rianimazione (Intensiva e Subintensiva) e Terapia del Dolore, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico di, Milano, Italy

    P. Caironi & L. Gattinoni

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  1. T. Langer
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  2. E. Carlesso
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  3. A. Protti
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  4. M. Monti
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  5. B. Comini
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  6. L. Zani
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  7. D. T. Andreis
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  8. G. E. Iapichino
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  9. D. Dondossola
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  10. P. Caironi
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  11. S. Gatti
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  12. L. Gattinoni
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to L. Gattinoni.

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Langer, T., Carlesso, E., Protti, A. et al. In vivo conditioning of acid–base equilibrium by crystalloid solutions: an experimental study on pigs. Intensive Care Med 38, 686–693 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00134-011-2455-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00134-011-2455-2

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