[The influence of PaCO2 on oxygen consumption during extracorporeal circulation in hypothermia (author's transl)].

: Hypocapnia during extracorporeal circulation in hypothermia increases oxygen consumption. Po2 in mixed venous blood decreases. This probably reflects a decrease in tissue oxygen tension. Hyperventilation will therefore increase the risk of hypoxia in critically perfused tissues. Therefore we recommend to keep PaCO2 (T) constant at 40 mm Hg during hypothermia.