STUDIES OF TOTAL PULMONARY CAPACITY AND ITS SUBDIVISIONS IX. RELATIONSHIP TO THE OXYGEN SATURATION AND CARBON DIOXIDE CONTENT OF THE ARTERIAL BLOOD 1

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Abstract
In 24 cases of pulmonary emphysema the mean of Oa saturation of the arterial blood from the radial artery was 88.2% and in 27 cases of pulmonary fibrosis 92%. The degree of saturation of the arterial blood appeared to be definitely correlated with the degree of alteration in the pulmonary capacity and its subdivisions. Anoxemia was found frequently both in pulmonary emphysema and fibrosis, and to a certain degree almost invariably when the ratio of residual air to total capacity was over 45%. The av. CO2 content of the arterial blood in pulmonary emphysema was high while in fibrosis it was rather a low normal. A marked increase in the ratio of residual air to total capacity was usually associated with a high CO2 content. Although many factors may be involved in the production of anoxemia in pulmonary emphysema and fibrosis, deficient alveolar ventilation is probably the most important.

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