Effects of Venous Infusion of Gaseous CO 2 on Cardiac Output of Dogs. ∗

Summary

Cardiac output was measured in dogs before, during, and after intravenous infusion of gaseous CO₂. Slight decreases in output occurred but not great enough to indicate a significant impairment in blood flow through the pulmonary system. Infused CO₂ moves rapidly into the expired gas. Lowered oxygen saturation of blood following infusion of CO₂ can be explained in part by Bohr effect. However, this does not account entirely for level of oxygen unsaturation and something more than Bohr effect seems involved.