carbon dioxide content

carbon dioxide 

an odorless, colorless gas, CO₂, resulting from oxidation of carbon, formed in the tissues and eliminated by the lungs; used in some pump oxygenators to maintain the carbon dioxide tension in the blood. It is also used in solid form; see carbon dioxide snow and carbon dioxide slush.

carbon dioxide combining power the ability of blood plasma to combine with carbon dioxide; indicative of the alkali reserve and a measure of the acid-base balance of the blood.

carbon dioxide content the amount of carbonic acid and bicarbonate in the blood; reported in millimoles per liter.

carbon dioxide–oxygen therapy administration of a mixture of carbon dioxide and oxygen (commonly 5 per cent CO₂ and 95 per cent O₂ or 10 per cent CO₂ and 90 per cent O₂); used for improvement of cerebral blood flow, stimulation of deep breathing, or treatment of singultation (hiccupping). Carbon dioxide acts by stimulating the respiratory center; it also increases heart rate and blood pressure. Therapy is given for 6 minutes or less with a 5 per cent mixture and 2 minutes or less with a 10 per cent mixture. Potential adverse effects include headache, dizziness, dyspnea, nausea, tachycardia and high blood pressure, blurred vision, mental depression, coma, and convulsions.

carbon dioxide slush solid carbon dioxide combined with a solvent such as acetone, and sometimes also alcohol; used as an escharotic to treat skin lesions such as warts and moles and as a peeling agent in chemabrasion.

carbon dioxide snow the solid formed by rapid evaporation of liquid carbon dioxide, giving a temperature of about −79°C (−110°F). It has been used in cryotherapy to freeze the skin, thus producing local anesthesia and arrest of blood flow. See also carbon dioxide slush.

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carbon dioxide

an odorless, colorless gas, CO₂, resulting from oxidation of carbons, formed in the tissues and eliminated by the lungs; used with oxygen to stimulate respiration and in solid form (carbon dioxide snow—see below) as an escharotic, as a gas to euthanize laboratory rabbits and rodents.

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carbon dioxide anesthesia

exposure of pigs for 45 seconds in a mixture of 60 to 70% CO₂ in air is an adequate pre-slaughter anesthetic for pigs.

carbon dioxide combining power

the ability of blood plasma to combine with carbon dioxide; indicative of the alkali reserve and a measure of the acid-base balance of the blood.

carbon dioxide content

the amount of carbonic acid and bicarbonate in the blood; reported in millimoles per liter.

carbon dioxide dissociation curve

a graph demonstrating the relationship between the blood content of CO₂ and the Pco₂.

carbon dioxide narcosis

respiratory acidosis.

carbon dioxide snow

solid carbon dioxide, formed by rapid evaporation of liquid carbon dioxide; it gives a temperature of about −110°F (−79°C), and is used as an escharotic in various skin diseases. Called also dry ice.

carbon dioxide tension

the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the blood; noted as Pco₂ in blood gas analysis. See also respiration.

carbon dioxide transport

carbon dioxide passes from tissues to blood by diffusion, in the blood by solution and via reactions within plasma and erythrocytes, from blood to pulmonary alveoli by diffusion.

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carbon dioxide content

CO₂ content Arterial blood gases A measure of the relative blood concentration of CO₂, measured using pH electrodes, by enzymes, or based on changes in pH Ref range < age 2–18-28 mmol/L; > 2 yrs–venous 22-26 mmol/L; > 2 yrs–arterial 22-32 mmol/L ↓ in Respiratory alkalosis–DKA, lactic acidosis, alcoholic ketoacidosis, hyperventilation, metabolic acidosis, kidney disease, renal failure, diarrhea, Addison's disease, ethylene glycol poisoning, methanol poisoning ↑ in Severe vomiting, gastric drainage, hypoventilation–eg, emphysema or pneumonia, hyperaldosteronism, Cushing syndrome. See Arterial blood gases.