Effect of lipemia and heparin on arterial carbon dioxide tension

Abstract

Intravenous injection of heparin to lipemic subjects was followed by a rapid rise in arterial Pco2, amounting to 4.7 mm Hg 15 min after the injection; the alveolar Pco2 did not seem to be affected. In fasting subjects the postheparin rise in arterial Pco2 was less pronounced. Subsequent studies showed that the observed Pco2 rise occurred in vitro in the drawn blood and was due to an accumulation of unesterified fatty acids, liberated by the heparin-induced lipoprotein lipase. respiratory gases; arterial blood gases; blood pH; a-A Pco2 gradient; lipoprotein lipase Submitted on June 18, 1964