In Reply.—
We appreciate the comments of Drs Georgitis and Hofeldt. In response to their question, the time relationships were as follows: At 7 PM, the pH was 7.33; Pco2, 48 mm Hg; Po2, 51 mm Hg. At 7:10 PM oxygen therapy was begun. At 8 PM, pH was 7.31; Pco2, 46 mm Hg; Po2, 72 mm Hg. At 11:45 PM the patient was alert and responsive. At 2 AM the patient was lethargic, and levothyroxine was administered intravenously (IV). At 2:10 AM, after cardiopulmonary resuscitation, pH was 7.34; Pco2, 42 mm Hg; Po2, 58 mm Hg.The Pco2, was measured at 37 °C and not corrected for the patient's temperature. With the appropriate correction for hypothermia, the Pco2 at 8 PM after one hour on oxygen becomes 41.3 mm Hg.Thus, it does not appear that in this instance oxygen therapy