KONYA/TURKEY, May 31st (Biermann) – In a randomized controlled clinical trial Dr. Alparslan Coskun, from University of Selcuk’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, compared the effects of IV administration of isotonic (1.3%) and hypertonic (8.4%) sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) solutions on acid-base status in 50 dehydrated calves with strong ion acidosis.

The animals received either isotonic NaHCO3 solution over 3 hours or hypertonic NaHCO3 solution over 20 minutes, Coskun and colleagues write. Furthermore, blood samples were collected at 0 hours (prior to solution administration) and at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 hours after administration began.

Analysis showed that calves that received isotonic NaHCO3 solution had an increase in venous blood pH, HCO3 concentration, and base excess; a small, transient increase in PO2; and no change in PCO2 within 4 hours after administration began. Calves that received hypertonic NaHCO3 solution, they add, had an immediate increase in venous blood pH, HCO3 concentration, and base excess; a small, transient increase PCO2; and no change in PO2 within 0.5 hours after treatment began. Plasma volume increased to a greater extent following administration of isotonic solution than after administration of hypertonic solution.

Based on these results the researchers conclude that “IV administration of 8.4% NaHCO3 solution in small volumes provided fast and effective improvement of severe acid-base abnormalities in calves with severe strong ion acidosis but did not improve hydration status as well as administration of a larger volume of isotonic NaHCO3 solution.”

References

• Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, May 15, 2010, Vol. 236, No. 10, Pages 1098-1103