Acid–base changes after fluid bolus: sodium chloride vs. sodium octanoate

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to test the hypothesis that fluid loading with sodium chloride (150 mmol Na and 150 mmol Cl) or sodium octanoate (150 mmol Na, 100 mmol Cl, and 50 mmol octanoate) would lead to different acid–base changes. DESIGN: We performed a double-blind crossover experimental study. SETTING: The study was done at a University Physiology Laboratory. SUBJECTS: Eight Merino ewes were used as subjects. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: We randomly assigned animals to a rapid intravenous infusion (1 L over 30 min) of either normal saline (NS) or sodium octanoate solution (OS). We collected blood samples at 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 6 h after the start of the infusion for blood gas analyses and biochemistry. We calculated strong ion difference apparent (SIDa), effective strong ion difference, and strong ion gap (SIG). Animals in the NS group developed metabolic acidification immediately after fluid administration (pH 7.49 to 7.42, base excess 3.0 to -1.6 mEq/L), while the OS group did not (pH 7.47 to 7.51, base excess 1.1 to 1.4 mEq/L; P < 0.001). Additionally, the OS group had higher SIDa (36.2 vs. 33.2 mEq/L) and SIG (7.4 vs. 6.2 mEq/L) at the end of the infusion. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provide further evidence that acidification induced by intravenous fluid loading is dependent on fluid composition and challenges the paradigm of the so-called dilutional acidosis. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/2197-425X-1-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.