Pathogenesis and treatment of metabolic acidosis in open heart surgery under surface induced deep hypothermia.

Metabolic acidosis observed in open heart surgery under surface induced deep hypothermia is due to lactacidemia, but is reversible, returning to precooling level 24 hours after the operation, and it can be considered more or less as a pathognomonic finding. Although the correction of acidosis present did not influence the level of lactic acid in blood, it was found to be clinically advantageous during the heartresuscitation. Therefore, it is advisable to maintain acid-base balance within-10 mEq per 1 of base excess.