A B S T R A C TFor purposes of quantitation these curves are approximated by a simple hyperbolic function, the parameters of which are evaluated by a least squares fit of the data. The parameter A denotes curve shape such that the higher the value of A, the greater the increase in ventilation for a given decrease in PAO2 and hence the greater the hypoxic drive. Curves are highly reproducible for each subject and curves from different subjects are similar. In 10 normal subjects at resting PAcO2, A = 180.2 +14.5 (SEM). When PACO, is adjusted to levels 5 mm Hg above and below control in six subjects A = 453.4 ±103 and 30.2 ±6.8 respectively. These latter values differed significantly from control (P < 0.05). These changes in curve shape provide a clear graphic description of interaction between hypercapnic and hypoxic ventilatory stimuli. At normal PACo2 the VE-PAO2 curve has an inflection zone located over the same P02 range as the inflection in the oxygenhemoglobin dissociation curve. This indicated that ventilation might be a linear function of arterial oxygen saturation or content. Studies in four subjects have
It is generally accepted that the exchange of pulmonary gases between "alveolar air" and pulmonary blood takes place by simple diffusion across the "pulmonary membrane." 2 Two properties of this membrane, namely, its permeability to gases and its surface area, are of considerable interest since a decrease in either could limit the rate of gaseous diffusion. There is no known physiological method for measuring specifically the permeability as contrasted to the area of the pulmonary diffusing surface in man. In 1915, M. Krogh (1), using carbon monoxide, made the first determinations of the pulmonary "diffusion constant" in human beings. This constant was considered to be proportional to both permeability and area of the diffusing surface and was expressed in cc. of CO diffusing per mm. Hg of CO partial pressure difference on either side of the pulmonary membrane. Roughton (2) has viewed the diffusion constant of normal persons as a measure of the number and size of patent pulmonary capillaries. Several investigators (3), in considering the diffusion constant for oxygen, have recommended that it be referred to as the "diffusing capacity" because its magnitude is greater during exercise than at rest.Carbon monoxide is peculiarly suitable for studies of gas diffusion across the pulmonary membrane because of the tenacity with which it is bound by hemoglobin after it has diffused into the red cells. For this reason, CO is taken up from respired gas for considerable periods of time (4) without there being a significant change in the Pco, or "escaping tendency," in the pulmonary capillary blood. The driving force responsible for CO transport across 1 These studies were aided by a contract between the Office of Naval Research, Department of the Navy, and the Trudeau Foundation
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