Utilization of exogenous acetate during canine haemorrhagic shock

Plasma acetate and lactate, as well as acid-base-parameters were followed during acetate (dogs I-V) or lactate (dogs VI-X) loading during stable hypotension (mean arterial blood pressure 30 mmHg). Acetate or lactate were infused at a constant rate of 4 mmol/kg/h as 0.5 mol/l solutions (50% as the sodium salt, 50% as the free acid) without simultaneous treatment of the volume deficit. The acetate metabolizing capacity was well preserved even in profound haemorrhagic shock. The actual loads were rapidly removed, while the equivalent lactate loads caused progressive accumulation of the lactate ion. Acetate loading did not aggravate the lactic acidosis, and the acid-base-parameters showed a more favourable development during acetate loading than during lactate loading. Acetate may thus be given during haemorrhagic shock without the same risk of accumulation that is carried by the equivalent amounts of lactate.