Alveolar hypoventilation exists by definition when arterial PaCO_2 increases above the normal range of 37 to 42 mmHg, but in clinically important hypoventilation syndromes PaCO_2 is generally in the range of 50 to 80 mmHg. The management of chronic hy...
Alveolar hypoventilation exists by definition when arterial PaCO_2 increases above the normal range of 37 to 42 mmHg, but in clinically important hypoventilation syndromes PaCO_2 is generally in the range of 50 to 80 mmHg. The management of chronic hypoventilation must be individualized to the patient's particular disorder, circumstances and need. This is a case report anesthetic management of a 63-year-old woman with central alveolar hypoventilation (CAH) secondary to cerebral infarction. For hip surgery epidural anesthesia with 0.5% bupivacaine was performed and doxapram was applied to maintain respiratory drive. The anesthetic experience with a brief review of literature is reported. (Korean J Anesthesiol 2002; 43: 678~683)