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deleted9493
So this specific explanation of avoiding the use of nitrous oxide in conditions involving compliant, air-filled cavities (e.g. pneumothorax, intestinal obstruction, blebs etc.) has vexed me and I cannot come to the end of it.
If a higher blood:gas coefficient translates into higher concentrations of that gas in the blood, why is it that nitrous oxide causes a problem if it does in fact have a 34x greater blood:gas partition coefficient than nitrogen? It seems to me that Nitrogen (b:g of 0.014) would tend to remain in the cavity and Nitrous oxide (b:g of 0.46) would have a much smaller tendency for that space. Where am I going wrong in my thinking of this?
I appreciate the insight of all you gas sages here.
If a higher blood:gas coefficient translates into higher concentrations of that gas in the blood, why is it that nitrous oxide causes a problem if it does in fact have a 34x greater blood:gas partition coefficient than nitrogen? It seems to me that Nitrogen (b:g of 0.014) would tend to remain in the cavity and Nitrous oxide (b:g of 0.46) would have a much smaller tendency for that space. Where am I going wrong in my thinking of this?
I appreciate the insight of all you gas sages here.