Respiratory Acid-Base Disorders

Alexander Arena; Emily Miller

doi:10.1016/j.emc.2023.06.009

Respiratory Acid-Base Disorders

Emerg Med Clin North Am. 2023 Nov;41(4):863-875. doi: 10.1016/j.emc.2023.06.009. Epub 2023 Aug 3.

Authors

Alexander Arena¹, Emily Miller²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, Mail Code 7736, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA. Electronic address: arena@uthscsa.edu.
² Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, Mail Code 7736, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA.

PMID: 37758429
DOI: 10.1016/j.emc.2023.06.009

Abstract

Respiratory acid-base disorders are often not thought of as frequently as their metabolic cousins, which occur more frequently in the emergency department. Although most respiratory and acid-base disturbances are driven by lung pathology, central nervous system and other organ systems can and do play a role as well. Although managing the airway and appropriate mechanical ventilation may be necessary, it is akin to placing a band-aid on a large wound. It is crucial for the emergency clinician to discover the etiology of the disturbance as management depends on treating the underlying etiology to prevent worsening acid-base status.

Keywords: Blood gas; Hypercapnia; Hyperventilation; NIPPV; Respiratory acidosis; Respiratory alkalosis.

Publication types

Review