One hundred and seventy-seven hospital patients whose ages ranged from 20 to 80 years were studied to determine whether or not there are any changes in arterial oxygen tension (during the breathing of room air) in relation to age. The findings indicated that there is an inverse correlation between age and arterial oxygen tension. This may be of great clinical significance since anoxemia has a pronounced effect on the central nervous system, the cardiopulmonary system, and many aspects of the preoperative and postoperative status of surgical patients. The present concept that normal arterial oxygen tension is 100 mm Hg, regardless of age, may have to be altered.
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