Background and study objectives Patients with end-stage cystic fibrosis (CF) develop
respiratory failure and hypercapnia. In contrast to COPD patients, altered electrolyte
transport and malnutrition in CF patients may predispose them to metabolic alkalosis and,
therefore, may contribute to hypercapnia. The aim of this study was to determine the
prevalence of metabolic alkalosis in adults with hypercapnic respiratory failure in the setting
of acute exacerbations of CF compared with COPD. Design Levels of arterial blood gases …