Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Hypercarbia
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Hypercarbia means to have more than normal CO2 (Carbon dioxide) levels in the blood.
Pathophysiology
Pathophysiology
- Value is usually obtained while performing a basic Chem-7 blood test, which tests for basic electrolyte levels from a blood sample.
- Normal values of CO2 for anyone over 2 years of age is between 22 and 26 mmol/L.
- Increased levels of serum CO2 are found in some disease processes such as COPD and emphysema and is related to the lung’s decreased capacity for effective gas exchange.
- Hypercarbia has been used to induce NDE-like experiences in patients, and to treat mental disorders.
- VA = (VT-VD) X breaths/min is a formula that can calculate ventilation in the alveolar (VA).
Causes
Causes
- Hypercarbia can be caused by decreased tidal volume (VT), increased dead space (VD), or decreased breaths per minute.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]