Shedding light on venoarterial PCO₂ gradient

As an expression on Fick’s principle, the reduction in cardiac output is associated with a parallel increase in both mixed venoarterial CO2 content diference (Cmv-aCO2) and arterial-mixed venous oxygen content diference (Ca-mvO2). Nevertheless, disproportioned elevations in Cmv-aCO2 compared to those of Ca-mvO2 ensue when the anaerobic threshold is reached. Tis results from anaerobic CO2 production, secondary to the bufering of anaerobically generated protons by bicarbonate.Facultad de Ciencias Médica