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Figure 2 | Critical Care

Figure 2

From: Carbon dioxide kinetics and capnography during critical care

Figure 2

Effect of alveolar dead space (VDalv). The right lung compartment receives no perfusion and contains no carbon dioxide (ignoring interlung unit ventilation). By mass balance for carbon dioxide, VDalv/VTalv = (PaCO2 - PETCO2)/PaCO2. For the sample condition shown, VDalv/VTalv = (40-20)/40= 50%. PaCO2, arterial PCO2; PACO2, alveolar PCO2; PETCO2, end-tidal PCO2; P CO2, mixed venous PCO2;VTalv, alveolar tidal volume. Adapted from Breen [61].

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Critical Care

ISSN: 1364-8535