Debunking The Hypoxic Drive Theoery: The Truth About The Affects Of Oxygen On COPD
Originally published January 6, 2016. I was recently interviewed by Rebecca Knutsen, a staff writer working for Advance for Respiratory Therapists. She said she was working on a brief article that explores when to administer oxygen to hypoxemic patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder. The following are her questions followed by my answers. 1. Please describe hypoxic and hypercapnic drive : Hypercapnic Drive : The central chemoreceptors on the medulla monitors the partial pressure of arterial CO2 (PaCO2). A normal PaCO2 level is 35-45 mmHG. When PaCO2 is high (>45 mmHg) a signal is sent to the medulla oblongata at the base of the brain to speed up breathing in order to blow off excess PaCO2. When PaCO2 levels are low (<35 mmHg) a signal is sent to the medulla oblongata at the base of the brain to decrease breathing in order to allow PaCO2 to accumulate. This is the main drive to breathe. Hypoxic Drive : The peripheral chemoreceptors...