GAS EQUILIBRIA IN THE LUNGS AT HIGH ALTITUDES

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Abstract
Studies were made of gas diffusion in the lungs at altitudes up to 6.14 km. The opinion of Krogh, Barcroft and others that diffusion can account for the transfer of oxygen in the lungs is fully confirmed. At high altitudes the partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood, measured by referring its % saturation with oxygen to the dissociation curve of the same specimen of blood, is approximately equal to that in alveolar air. The same holds for CO2. The oxygen saturation does not necessarily increase during acclimatization. Men who have lived for years at 5.34 km. have saturations ranging from 67.6 to 84.6%. Values on members of the party after only a few days at this altitude were within the same range and had the same average value.

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