Effects of Chronic Hypercapnia on Electrolyte

Previous studies in both the rat (1, 2) and the dog (3) have demonstrated that chronic respiratory acidosis induces profound alterations in electrolyte balance, but little is known concerning the changes that occur when the stimulus of hypercapnia is withdrawn. The present experiments were undertaken in order to define the process of recovery, and to determine how it is influenced by the availability of sodium and chloride in the diet. For this purpose, balance studies were carried out in dogs returned to room air after a long period of exposure to a high CO2 atmosphere.