Sensitivity of the Respiratory Center to Anemic Hypoxia

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Abstract
Circulatory and respiratory adjustments were studied in 9 anemic patients breathing air and 100% O2 to see whether the greater vol. of O2 dissolved in the blood would relieve tissues of O2 want and eliminate hy-poxic hyperventilation. Comparisons were made with 21 normal individuals. Pulmonary ventilation rates (per sq. meter of body surface) were higher in anemic patients than normal; the rates decreased as recovery from anemia progressed. Breathing of pure O2 further elevated ventilation rates. Anemic patients had increased O2 consumption, and lower R. Q., due to smaller increases in CO2 production. Pulse rate and cardiac output were higher than normal in anemics; pulse rate dropped during O2 breathing. Arterial pO2 and saturation were within normal limits, indicating that there was no hypoxic stimulation of arterial chemo-receptors. The authors conclude that there is no causal relationship between anemic hypoxia and hyperventilation. The latter appears due largely to greater metabolic rate and, to a lesser degree, to diminished buffer power of the blood.
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