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Definition, Etiology, PathogenesisTop
Respiratory acidosis is defined as a decrease in blood pH to <7.35 due to hypercapnia.
Causes of abnormal ventilation: see Respiratory Failure.
Hypoventilation leads to CO2 retention, hypercapnia, and respiratory acidosis. Respiratory acidosis may be acute or chronic. Physiologic mechanisms that counteract respiratory acidosis include the binding of H+ by intracellular buffers and increased renal production of bicarbonate HCO3− in the process of ammonia production.
Clinical Features and DiagnosisTop
Manifestations of respiratory acidosis include features of acute or chronic respiratory failure. Blood pH may be normal or decreased and variable increases in blood [HCO3−] may be seen as a compensatory mechanism.
TreatmentTop
Treatment of respiratory acidosis depends on the underlying condition.
