Importance of carbon dioxide in the critical patient: Implications at the cellular and clinical levels

Publication date: Available online 9 April 2019Source: Medicina Intensiva (English Edition)Author(s): L. Morales Quinteros, J. Bringué Roque, D. Kaufman, A. Artigas RaventósAbstractImportant recent insights have emerged regarding the cellular and molecular role of carbon dioxide (CO2) and the effects of hypercapnia. The latter may have beneficial effects in patients with acute lung injury, affording reductions in pulmonary inflammation, lessened oxidative alveolar damage, and the regulation of innate immunity and host defenses by inhibiting the expression of inflammatory cytokines. However, other studies suggest that CO2 can have deleterious effects upon the lung, reducing alveolar wound repair in lung injury, decreasing the rate of reabsorption of alveolar fluid, and inhibiting alveolar cell proliferation. Clearly, hypercapnia has both beneficial and harmful consequences, and it is important to determine the net effect under specific conditions. The purpose of this review is to describe the immunological and physiological effects of carbon dioxide, considering their potential consequences in patients with acute respiratory failure.ResumenEn los últimos años han surgido importantes descubrimientos sobre el papel del dióxido de carbono (CO2) a nivel celular y molecular, y sobre los efectos de la hipercapnia. Esta última puede tener efectos beneficiosos en pacientes con patología pulmonar aguda, como la reducción de la inflamación pulmonar y del daño oxidativo alveola...
Source: Medicina Intensiva - Category: Intensive Care Source Type: research