He aimed to empirically determine a mathematical expression representing the effect of respiratory compensation during metabolic acidosis.
[7] Respiratory compensation is one of three major processes the body uses to react to derangements in acid-base status (above or below pH 7.4).
It is slower than the initial bicarbonate buffer system in the blood, but faster than renal compensation.
Respiratory compensation usually begins within minutes to hours, but alone will not completely return arterial pH to a normal value (7.4).
Peripheral chemoreceptors are found in the aortic and carotid bodies and respond to changes in the PaCO2, the arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide.
Central chemoreceptors are found in the brainstem and respond primarily to decreased pH in the cerebrospinal fluid.
Using this information, physicians may elucidate additional causes of the acid-base derangement and identify different treatment options which may not have otherwise been considered.