Acid-base disturbances in pulmonary edema

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Abstract
During severe pulmonary edema the respiratory alkalosis which occurs in chronic cardiac failure and cardiac asthma is suddenly reversed into a severe acidosis more metabolic than respiratory in nature. At the beginning, the concentration of lactate increases markedly while that of pyruvate does not change appreciably. Correction of metabolic acidosis with concentrated bicarbonate perfusions has provided a beneficial effect. In cor pulmonale, even in the stage of hypercapnic coma, the blood lactate and pyruvate levels do not appear to be modified.