How does vent rate effect heart rate?

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Specializes in Private Duty Pediatrics.

Why would increasing the vent rate from 12 to 14 cause the heart rate to increase from around 50 to 60? The SpO2 was 98% the entire time.

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Specializes in ICU, LTACH, Internal Medicine.

Theoretically, respiratory alkalosis and increased intrathoracic pressure cause tachycardia and tachyarrythmias. But within the numbers you gave I suspect that very well might be just a coincidence.

Respiratory Alkalosis: Background, Pathophysiology, Epidemiology

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

I'm with KatieMI- coincidence.

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Specializes in Private Duty Pediatrics.

Thank you. I can't argue with success - the pulse is now in an acceptable range - but I can't explain why increasing the respiratory rate worked.

It may well be coincidence.

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