USE OF A CARBON DIOXIDE BUFFER (TRISHYDROXYMETHYLAMINOMETHANE) IN TREATMENT OF RESPIRATORY ACIDOSIS

Abstract

Trishydroxymethylaminomethane (THAM) infusion in patients with compensated respiratory acidosis caused a fall in arterial oxygen tension, alveolar ventilation, respiratory carbon dioxide excretion, and respiratory quotient while the pH and bicarbonate rose. The arterial carbon dioxide tension rose in most of the patients. In patients with uncompensated respiratory acidosis, the pH rose while the tension of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood fell. The reasons for the different response of carbon dioxide tension are speculated upon. All patients showed a fall in blood oxygen tension following THAM infusion. This danger is stressed.