[Acid-base disorders in status asthmaticus (author's transl)].

Abstract

In 85 patinets withstatus asthmaticus, the authors have studied the acid-base balance, the blood gas tensions and various humoral parameters. The values were classified into two groups according to the PaCO2 level: below or equal to 44 torr (Group I), higher than 44 torr (Group II). In the 58 cases of Group II, there was a very close positive correlation between PaCO2 and H + ions, practically the same as that established by BRACKETT et al. [3] in experimental acute hypercapnia in man. On the contrary, the correlation derived from cases of status asthmaticus in the literature showed, in some cases, a metabolic component in acidosis. In the present work, the mean value of lactates was close to normal; there was a slow increase in protein content and hematocrit, in the two groups. The prognosis of the status asthmaticus depends on the degrees of hypercapnia: when it reaches 70 torr, mechanical ventilation is urgently needed and is the main part of the treatment; the use of additional drugs remains a matter of specific case.