What is blood gas analysis for respiratory acidosis?

Respiratory acidosis is generally a manifestation of acidosis in the body system. Once a substance in life is retained in the human body, it will easily lead to continuous acidosis of body cells, which can easily cause shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. In severe cases, it may be life-threatening and poses a great threat to the health of the body. It needs timely treatment.

Respiratory acidosis blood gas analysis

Respiratory acidosis (respiratory acidosis) is often caused by CO2 retention. In the acute phase, the compensatory effect of the kidneys is not significant and the bicarbonate buffer system does not work, so acidosis progresses rapidly and can reach a severe level within a dozen minutes. Moreover, the retained CO2 can easily enter the cells, leading to intracellular acidosis. If not corrected in time, the mortality rate is very high. Its main characteristics are increased plasma PaCO2 and a compensatory increase in HCO3- levels in the chronic phase.

Causes

1. Respiratory center depressant drugs

Such as various sedatives or anesthetics.

2. Respiratory muscle or chest wall disorders

Such as respiratory muscle weakness, paralysis or restriction, insufficient ventilation or ventilation failure when using a ventilator, etc.

3. Upper airway obstruction

Acute tracheal foreign body, acute pharyngolaryngitis spasm, etc.

4. Lung disease

Such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary edema, atelectasis, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), etc.

5. Others

Such as high fever or hyperthyroidism.

Clinical manifestations

Acute severe respiratory acidosis is manifested by rapid breathing, dyspnea and obvious neurological symptoms, such as headache, blurred vision, irritability, and even tremors, confusion, delirium and coma. Physical examination may reveal optic disc edema, increased cerebrospinal fluid pressure, and cardiac arrhythmias. The symptoms of chronic respiratory acidosis are often masked by the primary disease.

examine

A blood gas analysis can diagnose respiratory acidosis based on decreased pH and increased PCO2.

diagnosis

Based on the cause and laboratory tests, if plasma PaCO2>6kPa (45mmHg), the diagnosis of respiratory acidosis is considered. In addition, the degree of HCO3- compensation should be determined. If PaCO2 rises by 1.33 kPa (10 mmHg) and HCO3- rises by 3 mmol, it is chronic respiratory acidosis; if HCO3- rises by only 1 mmol, it is acute respiratory acidosis or mixed acid-base imbalance.