Abstract
We studied the effect of helium (He) on ventilatory (V̇(I)) responses to progressive isocapnic hypoxia. Accordingly, in normal male subjects (age 23-46), we compared hypoxic rebreathes using He as a carrier gas with those utilizing nitrogen (N2) as carrier gas. When alveolar CO2 tension (PACO2) was maintained at 40 mm Hg, we noted no difference in V̇(I) responses to hypoxia between N2 and He trials. In contrast, when PACO2 was maintained at 50 mm Hg, V̇(I) responses to hypoxia during the He trials were consistently greater than those noted during the N2 experiments. These results indicate that substitution of He for N2 does not augment V̇(I) responses to normocapnic hypoxia; however, this substitution does enhance V̇(I) responses to hypercapnic hypoxia.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 26-37 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | Respiration |
Volume | 44 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 1 1983 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine