Effects of Chronic Hypercapnia on Blood Distribution in Organs
Abstract
Using radioisotope methods to determine, simultaneously, red cell volume (chromium-51) and plasma volume (iodine-125) the blood content of the brain, liver, muscle and skin, and their corresponding hematocrits were measured in guinea pigs during chronic hypercapnia induced by prolonged exposure to 15% CO2. The respiratory acidosis produced under these conditions resulted in biphasic pH changes, uncompensated phase up to two days and compensated phase from three days on. During the uncompensated respiratory acidosis, the arterial PCO2, after one hour exposure, rose from 45 to 123 mm Hg and remained at the elevated level throughout the exposure period thus allowing analysis of the physiological changes due to pH to be distinguished from those due to PCO2. The blood content of the brain was greatly elevated throughout the exposure to CO2, indicating a correlation with PCO2 rather than pH. The blood content of liver and muscle decreased significantly after one day of exposure and increased again during the subsequent exposure period. The blood content of the skin rose 60% after one hour exposure and fell below control values at three and seven days of exposure. Changes in blood volume observed during chronic hypercapnia in liver, muscle and skin have proved to follow the time course of pH changes.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 24, 1969
- Accession Number
- AD0722659
Entities
People
- George T. Baker Iii
- Karl E. Schaefer
Organizations
- Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory