Respiratory acidosis is an acid-base balance disturbance due to alveolar hypoventilation which leads to impaired ventilation and rapid increase in the partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2). This article discusses various diagnostic tools that can be used in the early identification of underlying causative factors and aid in deciding appropriate intervention for this debilitating condition.
Respiratory acidosis often occurs post impaired ventilation when the removal of carbon dioxide by the respiratory system is less than the production of carbon dioxide in the tissues. It may have a variety of different causes, including the following: COPD Neuromuscular diseases Chest wall disorders Obesity-hypoventilation syndrome Obstructive sleep apnea Central nervous system depression Laryngeal and tracheal stenosis A significant alteration in ventilation that affects the elimination…
