The effects of body positions on blood gas exchange in patients with unilateral lung disease — part I

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyse the effects of sitting, supine and laterals positions on arterial oxygen tension (Pa02) and arterial carbon dioxide tension (PaC02), in 21 adults patients, carier of some pulmonary unilateral disfunction, in recent post-operative cardiac surgery. The diagnosis of the pulmonary disfunction was done through radiographic torax evaluation. The patients stayed during 15 minutes in each position and after this, the arterial blood gases were measured. Based on Friedman test and Multiple Comparation test (a = 0,05), it was found that the Pa02 was significantly higher when the patients were lying on the "healthy'' side or in supine position; the Pa02 was significantly lower when the patients where lying on the "sick" side. No significant changes in PaC02 were noted.