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Interpretation of Arterial Carbon Dioxide Tension in Laryngotracheobronchitis


AG Wesley

Abstract

The arterial carbon dioxide tension (PaCO2) of 57 patients with laryngotracheobronchitis was matched to the degree of obstruction as assessed by clinical methods. A constant relationship between PaCO2 and the degree of obstruction was observed, The greatest obstruction was accompanied by the highest PaCO2 and vice versa. However, with the least obstruction patients hyperventilated. The rise in PaCO2 that accompanied increasing obstruction is relative to the initial hyperventilatory level. Therefore absolute hypoventilation was seldom present when obstruction had become significant.

S. Afr. Med. J., 48, 1152 (1974)

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eISSN: 2078-5135
print ISSN: 0256-9574