Respiratory Pattern and Respiratory Response to CO2

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Abstract
The respiratory response to CO2 was studied in 65 subjects exposed to various CO2 concentrations (1.5, 3.3, 5.4 and 7.5% CO2) for 15 minutes followed by a recovery period of equal length. The well known large individual differences in the response to CO2 were related to the basic respiratory pattern of the individual on air. On the basis of differences in the ventilatory response to 5.4% and 7.5% CO2, subjects were classified in a high and low ventilation group. The latter showed, during normal breathing of air, a significantly lower respiratory rate and larger tidal volume as well as a higher alveolar CO2 level. In 31 subjects whose lung volumes were measured, those with a low ventilatory response to CO2 had a larger tidal volume, inspiratory reserve and vital capacity, while the expiratory reserve did not differ. Under proper experimental conditions, the individual respiratory response to CO2, as well as the basic respiratory pattern on air remain fairly constant. Subjects with a high sensitivity to CO2 were found to have also a high sensitivity to low O2 and vice versa. The difference in the ventilatory response to CO2 appears to be correlated with differences in the adrenal sympathetic response to CO2. The group differences are also reflected in symptoms incident to inhalation of 7.5% CO2 as noted in 42 subjects. Possible utilization of the respiratory response to CO2 as a physiological selection test for underwater swimmers and aviators is discussed. Submitted on November 12, 1957

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