View source for CO2 narcosis

==Background==
[[File:Respiratory system complete en.svg|thumb|]]
[[File:Gas exchange.jpg|thumb|Normal gas exchange showing compositions of the ambient air, the alveolar air (light blue) with which the alveolar capillary blood equilibrates, and the blood gas tensions in the pulmonary arterial (blue blood entering the lung on the left) and venous blood (red blood leaving the lung on the right). All the gas tensions are in kPa (to convert to mm Hg, multiply by 7.5).]]
*[[hypercapnia|Increased CO2]] in the blood leading to depressed mental status
*Most commonly seen in acute exacerbations of obstructive pulmonary diseases (e.g. [[COPD]], [[asthma]])
*Can also be seen in [[Scuba diving emergencies|SCUBA divers]]

==Clinical Features==
*[[Headache]]
*[[Confusion]]
*[[Lethargy]]
*Propensity for [[arrhythmias]]
*[[Seizure]]
*[[Coma]]/death

==Differential Diagnosis==
{{AMS DDX}}

==Evaluation==
*[[VBG]] (ABG not required to make this diagnosis<ref>McCanny P, Bennett K, Staunton P, McMahon G. Venous vs arterial blood gases in the assessment of patients presenting with an exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Am J Emerg Med. 2012; 30(6):896-900.</ref>)

==Management==
*Hyperventilation with either [[biPAP|NIPPV]] or [[intubation]]/mechanical ventilation depending on severity and patient's mental status

==Disposition==
*Admission to a monitored setting

==See Also==
*[[Altered mental status]]

==External Links==

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Pulmonary]]