Effect of carbon dioxide in acute mountain sickness: a rediscovery.
The effect of adding CO2 to inhaled air in six subjects with acute mountain sickness was investigated during a medical expedition to 5400 m.3% CO2 in ambient air increased ventilation and resulted in a rise in PaO2 of between 24% and 40%. There was a 9-28% increase in PaCO2 and a reduction of the respiratory alkalosis normally seen at high altitude. Symptoms of acute mountain sickness were rapidly relieved. In three subjects cerebral blood flow increased by 17-39%, so that oxygen delivery to the brain would have been considerably improved. This study confirms earlier suggestions of the beneficial effect of CO2 inhalation at high altitude.
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000532:Altitude Sickness / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood
D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D010100:Oxygen