Effect of Nitrous Oxide Uptake on Arterial Oxygenation

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Abstract
The uptake of nitrous oxide is a continuous process during all phases of respiration, and results in an increased inflow of ambient gas from the outside. Evidence of this aventilatory mass flow down the airway is obtained by monitoring, during apnea, the arterial PO2 while nitrous oxide is extracted from the alveoli into the pulmonary circulation. Thus, during apnea the arterial PO2 will vary depending on the concentration of oxygen in the external reservoir (i.e., air of 100% oxygen). The uptake of one gas influences the alveolar concentration of other gases in the inspiratory mixture. On the other hand, with air breathing, a steady state exists in regard to nitrogen [long dash]no uptake occurs and no physiological pressure gradient is established. In man, serial arterial samples were measured in-vitro for PO2. In addition a recently developed, highly accurate and sensitive micro-catheter oxygen electrode was inserted into the aorta of the dog, whereby continuous in-vivo PO2 tracings were obtained.

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