THE EFFECT OF HYPERVENTILATION ON “EXCESS LACTATE” PRODUCTION DURING ANAESTHESIA

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Acid-base balance and lactate and pyruvate metabolism were studied in two groups of patients submitted to lower abdominal and gynaecological surgery under thiopentonenitrous oxide-relaxant anaesthesia, with controlled ventilation. In one group of patients pulmonary ventilation was adjusted to maintain the arterial carbon dioxide tension at normal levels, whilst in the other the lungs were hyperventilated. From determinations of base excess and “excess lactate”, it was concluded that moderate hyperventilation produced no significant alteration in the non-respiratory acid-base balance of the patient, nor was there evidence of tissue hypoxia.