[Acid-base imbalance in acute cerebrovascular diseases].

Ninety cases of cerebral hemorrhage or infarction confirmed with CT scans were reported. Blood specimens were taken within 4 to 24 hours after the onset of the strokes for blood gas analysis. The results showed that respiratory alkalosis occurred in all patients with cerebral hemorrhage or embolism, while the metabolic acidosis accompanied only those with severe cerebral infarctions or intracerebral hematomas rupturing into the ventricles small local infarcts caused only hypoxemia or no changes at all. It seemed likely that the blood acid-base changes were closely related to the nature and the size of the lesions. It was suggested that since hyperventilation caused by cerebral lesions might be the main factor that give rise to respiratory alkalosis, it would be of great importance to maintain the acid base balance in the acute stage of the stroke with proper dehydration therapy and oxygen administration.