Effect of Hypocapnia on Cardiac Output During Anesthesia

Abstract
Hemodynamic and blood gas studies were carried out during anesthesia and operation during hypocapnia and normocapnia in 9 patients. Without exception, cardiac output was greater during normocapnia than during hypocapnia. The available evidence suggests the presence of decreased myocardial contractility or distensibility, or both, during hypocapnia as compared to normocapnia. These myocardial changes are believed to result in major part from altered activity of the sympathetic nervous system.