Partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2)

Partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) refers to the amount of carbon dioxide gas dissolved in the blood, expressed as a pressure measurement. It's an indicator of how well the lungs are removing CO2 from the body during breathing. If PaCO2 is high, it suggests that the lungs may not be effectively eliminating CO2, which can happen in conditions like hypoventilation or lung disease. Conversely, low PaCO2 indicates that the body is removing CO2 too rapidly, possibly due to hyperventilation. Monitoring PaCO2 helps assess respiratory function and identify potential imbalances in gas exchange.