Life-threatening metabolic alkalosis in a comatose patient.

A 63-year-old man with obstructive pulmonary disease developed severe metablic alkalosis and coma while receiving steroid therapy and nasogastric suction. Treatment, which included the acute induction of hypercarbia and the simultaneous administration of acetazolamide and saline, restored acid-base balance within 24 hours. This combined approach eliminated the need to infuse hydrochloric acid.