[Acid-base findings in the cerebrospinal fluid of premedicated patients]

Analysis of acid-base-metabolism in cerebrospinal fluid is not easy, because pO2, pCO2 and pH change already within a short time after sampling. Acid-base-values in CSF have been measured in 50 healthy patients within 20 seconds after withdrawal. Our results (pH 7.298 +/- 0.007; pCO2 46.94 +/- 4.84 mmHg; HCO3 22.78 +/- 2.15 mVal/l; BE-2.4 +/- 2.39 mVal/l; pO2 50.27 +/- 14.06 mmHg) demonstrate, that CSF is more acidic than often claimed. This is important, whenever possible precipitations by intrathecal injection of local anaesthetics are discussed.