Abstract

The effect of acute alkalosis induced by either hyperventilation or sodium carbonate on the toxicity of ouabain and the importance of secondary alterations in blood pCO₂ and plasma concentrations of sodium, calcium and potassium on this toxicity was studied in dogs. The mean lethal dose of ouabain in groups of dogs which had been 1) hyperventilated, 2) given sodium carbonate by infusion, 3) hyperventilated and given supplemental potassium by infusion and 4) given sodium carbonate plus supplemental potassium was significantly decreased as compared with control dogs. The results indicate that ouabain toxicity is increased by acute alkalosis and this is correlated with the increment in blood pH.