Respiratory Acidosis
March 4th, 2023
Overview
Respiratory acidosis is a process by which reduced effective ventilation results in carbon dioxide retention.
Look for
- Reduced pH (acidaemia) with increased PaCO₂.
Expected Compensation in Acute Respiratory Acidosis
- 1mmol/L [HCO₃] increase for every 10mmHg PaCO₂ above 40mmHg
Expected Compensation in Chronic Respiratory Acidosis
- 4mmol/L [HCO₃] increase for every 10mmHg PaCO₂ above 40mmHg
Causes of Respiratory Acidosis
- Hypoventilation - drugs, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, obstructive sleep apnoea, encephalopathy, neuromuscular disease, chest wall abnormalities
- Dead space ventilation - emphysema
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