The role of the liver in the changes of acid-base balance and plasma lipids during surface-induced deep hypothermia.

The role of the liver in the changes of acid-base balance and plasma lipids in surface-induced deep hypothermia for open-heart surgery was investigated clinically and experimentally. The metabolic acidosis generally observed in open-heart surgery under surface-induced deep hypothermia is derived from lactacidemia. Although the accelerated anaerobic glycolysis is partly responsible, the depressed acidic metabolite-disposing ability of the liver also plays an important role. The evidence which is presented to show the decrease of plasma lipids other than NEFA under hypothermia is probably due to the hepatic accumulation of lipids and the decreased lipids release from the liver.