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ROBERT O. MULHAUSEN, MD; AUSMA S. BLUMENTALS, MD

Arch Intern Med. 1965;116(5):729-738.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text PDF and any section headings.

METABOLIC ALKALOSIS is the process which causes, or tends to cause, a nonrespiratory deficit in extracellular hydrogen ion concentration.

Major Laboratory Characteristics.

—An increased extracellular bicarbonate concentration and an elevated pH are a reflection of the hydrogen ion deficit. In terms of the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation, serum bicarbonate is elevated compared to the hydrated carbon dioxide (H₂CO₃). The normal 20:1 ratio of is increased and pH is elevated (Fig 1).

The elevated bicarbonate in metabolic alkalosis is due to a disturbance in the normal dynamic relationships between the bicarbonate produced in the body and the amount of hydrogen ion formed by metabolic processes. If hydrogen ion is decreased in extracellular fluid, less is available to participate in the reaction and bicarbonate accumulates.

Respiratory compensation for metabolic alkalosis is never complete and is relatively ineffective. The Pco₂ may be slightly elevated, normal, or decreased.

Typical serum electrolyte changes include an . . . [Full Text PDF of this Article]

Author Affiliations
MINNEAPOLIS

Assistant Chief, Medical Service, Minneapolis Veterans Hospital and Assistant Professor of Medicine, University of Minnesota (Dr. Mulhausen); Staff Physician, Minneapolis Veterans Hospital and Instructor in Medicine, University of Minnesota (Dr. Blumentals).

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