pH-temperature conversion factors and pCO₂ factors for hypothermia

Abstract

The change in pH per degree centigrade was re-evaluated in a series of normal and ill adults. The results indicate that the Δp H per degree centigrade is relatively constant in a given individual and of the order of -.015 for every degree increase in the temperature. Errors in hypothermic work may be minimized by using a water-bath setting midway between the highest and the lowest temperatures anticipated. These findings tend to support previous figures in both magnitude and range. Procedural accuracy is emphasized and technical difficulties in pH measurements are suggested as possible sources of disagreement raised by one investigator. "pCO 2 factors" are given for temperatures from 20 to 38 C for rapid calculation of pCO2 from CO 2 content and p H corrected for temperature. CO 2 , partial pressure conversion factors in hypothermia; hypothermia, p H , and pCO 2 factors; acid-base metabolism and hypothermia Submitted on October 25, 1963