ARTERIAL BLOOD GASES AND ACID-BASE BALANCE IN CYANOTIC CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE 1

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The blood gases and acid-base balance were detd. in arterial blood from 60 patients with cyanotic congenital heart disease. Arterial O2 saturation varied from 21 to 93%. Saturations below 50% were found only under 8 yrs. of age. Of patients with normal or below normal oxy-hemoglobin capacities half had arterial saturations between 87 and 92%, and the majority of the remainder were infants with iron deficiency anemia. Capacities over 32 vol. % were found only in older children and adults. O2 was normal in all but 15% of the cases. The alkaline reserve of the plasma tended to be reduced. Abnormal acid-base characteristics of serum were usually due to fixed acid excess or additional CO2 deficit. When cyanosis was improved or relieved by surgery there was a marked rise in alkaline reserve and arterial pH.