Hypercapnia
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Introduction[edit | edit source]
Hypercapnia is when there is too much carbon dioxide (CO2) in the blood. This is normally caused by hypoventilation of the body which leads to CO2 retention. Hypercapnia is defined as PaCO2 greater than 4.2kPa on an arterial blood gas (ABG).[1]
Hypercapnia can eventually cause hypoxaemia due to reduced respiratory drive.
However; hypercapnia can conversely be caused by long term hypoxaemia which causes the body to compensate leading to increased CO2 in the blood. This is known as type 2 respiratory failure.
Type 2 respiratory failure[edit | edit source]
Type 2 respiratory failure is defined as: PaCO2 greater than 4.2kPa and PaO2 less than 8kPa.[1] (these ranges can differ slightly depending on the book or article).[2]
It is caused reduced respiratory drive which commonly is due to a neurological impairment. These neurological impairments could be traumatic or insidious in nature.
Type 2 respiratory failure is also common in advanced COPD patients due to: long term hypoxaemia or lack of gas exchange occurring in the alveoli thanks to poor tissue quality. [3]
On the contrary to hypoxaemia the patient will present as drowsy and with low respiratory rate as a result of the increased CO2 in the brain. [1]
Clinical signs[1][edit | edit source]
In an acute setting a hypercapnic patient may present with some or all of the following symptoms:
| Sign | Clinical feature | Observation |
|---|---|---|
| Tachycardia | Increased heart rate | HR > 100 bpm |
| Dyspnoea | Deranged respiratory rate | RR inconsistent |
| Bradypnea | Low respiratory rate | RR < 12 bpm |
| Flushed skin | Redness of face or body | May be hyperthermic (not always) |
| Hot calor | Warm extremities | May be hyperthermic (not always) |
| Altered mental state | Confusion, drowsy, difficult to wake | |
| Astrexis | Arm flapping | Jerking motion of the hands, inability to stay still |
In chronic respiratory diseases these symptoms can develop over time, however, symptoms can become severe which can lead to coma or death if left untreated.
Pathology[edit | edit source]
Causes of hypercapnia[edit | edit source]
Resources[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Patel S, Miao JH, Majmundar SH. Physiology, Carbon Dioxide Retention. InStatPearls [Internet] 2020 Feb 12. StatPearls Publishing.
- ↑ Kenyon K, Kenyon J. The Physiotherapist's Pocketbook. Essential Facts at your Fingertips. 2nd ed. London: Churchill Livingstone, Elsevier. 2009.
- ↑ McEvoy RD, Pierce RJ, Hillman D, Esterman A, Ellis EE, Catcheside PG, O’Donoghue FJ, Barnes DJ, Grunstein RR. Nocturnal non-invasive nasal ventilation in stable hypercapnic COPD: a randomised controlled trial. Thorax. 2009 Jul 1;64(7):561-6.
- ↑ MrA91000. Pathology of Hypercapnia. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrvhApnoKDM [last accessed 20/8/2012]
