Hemodynamic effects of acetate in man.

To determine the action of acetate in man, 1.7mEq/ml of sodium acetate was infused in 10 patients on chronic hemodialysis. It was administered intravenously in 1.5mEq/min for 5 min followed by 3.8mEq/min for another 5 min. As control, 1.71mEq/ml of sodium chloride was infused in a similar manner. Following the infusion of sodium acetate, heart rate increased slightly but significantly (p less than 0.01). Limb blood flow measured in an upper limb by the venous occlusion method, showed an increase in all of them and it was significant( p less than 0.001). The peripheral vascular resistance (=mean arterial blood pressure/limb blood flow) showed a significant fall (p less than 0.001). The analysis of systolic time interval showed a change suggestive of depression of heart function at the end of sodium acetate infusion (p less than 0.05). Such a vasodilating effect or a change in heart function was not observed following sodium chloride infusion. A depressant action of acetate upon the cardiovascular system may be, therefore, concluded.