title: The Effect of Arterial PaCO2 in COPD Exacerbations with and without Peripheral Edema.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Studies often suggest hypoxemia is an important factor for sodium retention in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), although hypercapnia is also associated with sodium retention in these patients. Hence, we have presented the major role of PaCO(2) in edema due to COPD.
  
  
  METHODS
  COPD patients who were hospitalized due to exacerbation were enrolled in the study and divided into two groups: with and without edema. Exclusion criteria included primary hepatic diseases, nephrotic syndrome and other renal diseases, left heart failure, or using drugs that would interfere with these organs or endocrine function. Data were coded and analyzed by SPSS software. Arterial blood gas variables including bicarbonate, pH, and PaO(2), PaCO(2) and O(2) saturation, and FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC were measured and compared between the groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant difference was found between the averages of bicarbonate, pH, PaO(2), 02 saturation, FEV1, FVC and FEV1/FVC in COPD in the two groups. PaCO(2) levels were significantly higher in patients with edema, compared to those without edema (p = 0.05). A reverse and significant correlation between PaCo(2) and FEV1 levels (p = 0.03) (r = -0.501) was observed in patients with edema.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests that hypercapnia is a major factor in causing edema in COPD patients compared to hypoxemia.
authors.forename: Fariba
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rezaeetalab
authors.forename: Abbas Ali
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Zeraatti
authors.forename: Farzaneh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sharifipour
authors.forename: Rozita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Davoodi
authors.forename: Hoorak
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Pourzand
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000097:blood*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004487:Edema / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*
chemical_list: D002245:Carbon Dioxide