title: Changes in acid-base balance during electrolytic ablation in an ex vivo perfused liver model.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Electrolytic ablation (EA) destroys tissues through extreme pH changes in the local microenvironment. An ex vivo perfused liver model was used to assess the systemic effects of EA on the acid-base balance without the influence of compensatory organs (lungs and kidneys).
  
  
  METHODS
  Eleven pigs were perfused extracorporeally at 39°C with autologous blood; 4 also underwent EA after 1 hour of reperfusion. Arterial blood samples were obtained hourly.
  
  
  RESULTS
  pH and CO(2) levels did not change throughout the experiments. A significant increase of HCO(3)-, anion gap, base excess, and lactate was present after the third hour. No differences were observed between EA experiments and controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  EA does not alter the acid-base balance even when the confounding influence of compensatory organs is removed. Such findings should be considered when planning ablations in patients with renal failure or respiratory diseases in which EA could avoid undesirable metabolic changes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Leicester General Hospital, Leicester LE5 4PW, UK. ggravante@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Gianpiero
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gravante
authors.forename: Seok Ling
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Ong
authors.forename: Matthew S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Metcalfe
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sorge
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Fox
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Lloyd
authors.forename: Guy J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Maddern
authors.forename: Ashley R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Dennison
mesh_terms: D055011:Ablation Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D000136:Acid-Base Equilibrium; D000818:Animals; D001639:Bicarbonates / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000097:blood; D004572:Electrolysis; D005260:Female; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007773:Lactates / Q000097:blood; D008099:Liver / Q000601:surgery*; D013552:Swine
chemical_list: D001639:Bicarbonates; D015415:Biomarkers; D007773:Lactates; D002245:Carbon Dioxide