Respiratory insensitivity to acute hypoxia persisting after correction of tetralogy of Fallot.

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Abstract
Five patients over 15 years of age were studied more than 1 year after surgical correction of tetralogy of Steno Fallot. Their arterial PO2 [O2 tension] (PaO2) whlle breathing air averaged 81 mm Hg at the time of the study. The mean ventilatory response to a reduction of P PaO2 from 150 to 40 mm Hg at their normal PaCO2, termed A V40, was 0. 5 liters/m2/min. compared with a normal value of about 10 Iiters/m2/min. The ratio of the slope of their CO2 response curve at PaO2 = 40 mm Hg to that at PaO2 = 150 mm Hg averaged 1.1 as compared to a normal value of 2.7. The ventilatory response to CO2 at PaO2 = 150 mm Hg was normal, averaging 1.2 Iiters/m2/min. mm Hg. Hypoxia during childhood permanently reduces the respiratory sensitivity to acute hypoxia. The observed insensitivity to acute hypoxia in high-altitude natives is probably not genetically determined.

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