Cerebrospinal Fluid and Arterial Acid-base Equilibria in Spontaneously Breathing Third-trimester Pregnant Women

( Br J Anaesth . 2022;129:726–733) The acid-base regulation of the choroid plexus is critical to spontaneous breathing. Minute ventilation while at rest is increased during the first trimester, which results in the development of hypocapnia and respiratory alkalosis. This study aimed to describe the acid-base status of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and arterial plasma in resting, spontaneously breathing third-trimester pregnant women. The study also aimed to discuss the physiological adaptations to hypocapnic alkalosis (HA) in pregnancy.