Effect of CO2 inhalation on arterial pressure, ECG and plasma catecholamines and 17-OH corticosteroids in normal man

Abstract

Twelve male volunteers inspired concentrations of carbon dioxide in oxygen ranging from 7% to 14% for periods of 10– 20 minutes. Respiratory minute volume, arterial pressure, heart rate, and plasma concentrations of epinephrine, norepinephrine and 17-OH corticosteroids were increased in every subject during hypercarbia. Abnormal cardiac rhythm was infrequently observed. Following substitution of oxygen for the carbon dioxide-oxygen mixture, the altered measurements returned to normal over a period of roughly 10 minutes. Neither marked hypotension nor cardiac arrhythmia was observed after correction of hypercarbia. Submitted on January 8, 1960