[Acid-base equilibrium changes associated with acute pulmonary edema. Intra-erythrocytic findings and comparison with plasma values].

A study was made of intra-erythrocyte acid-base balance in 7 subjects with metabolic and 3 with mixed acidosis in the course of acute haemodynamic pulmonary oedema. Comparison with plasma values showed that, in metabolic acidosis, the buffers (bicarbonate) are evenly involved in the maintenance of hydrogen ion balance, whereas in mixed forms a greater demand is made on non-bicarbonate bases. Examination of this phenomenon and its quantitative evaluation are geared to intra-erythrocyte determinations of the acid-base balance, particularly to the very important B.E. index.