Abstract

VIRUEZ-SOTO, J A et al. Arterial blood gas analysis in residents at high altitude, el Alto, Bolivia 2020  . Cuad. - Hosp. Clín. [online]. 2020, vol.61, n.1, pp.60-72. ISSN 1562-6776.

Abstract Introduction: Barometric pressure determines the partial pressure of gases both in the environment and at the pulmonary alveolar level, so for a given barometric pressure, the pressure of oxygen and carbón dioxide is different. The objective of this paper is to characterize arterial blood gas valúes in healthy adult residents at very high altitude in the city of El Alto. Methodology: Case series study, carried out during 2019; 22 volunteers (73%) women and 8 men (27%), mean age 36.07 years are included. The study was approved by the Hospital Bioethics Committee. Results: At 4150 meter above sea level, pH tends towards alkalosis (7.43) as well as PaO2 is lower (58.69mmHg), the valué of PaCO2 (26.14mmHg) is lower corresponding to a city with higher altitude, the valué of serum bicarbonate (20.14mmol/L) is lower in compensation at the decrease in PaCO2 and the valué of SatO2% (91.7%) is lower than that reported at sea level. The PaO2/FiO2 index does not match the calculation made according to the proposed formula within the definition of the "Berlin Criteria". It is also evident that, although the correlation between PaO2 and SatO2% is high, it is not perfectly linear. Conclusión: It is imperative to precise the characteristics corresponding to the physiology corresponding to each altitude, looking forward to apply these parameters, such as those of arterial blood gas, in the treatment of prevalent diseases for each región, and so as develop specific studies at high altitude, also testing and reporting them.

Keywords : Arterial blood gas analysis; resident; very high altitude.

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