|
||||||||
SaO2 varies over a range in normal individuals at a given altitude. It is usually lower on first arrival at a given altitude, and rises somewhat with acclimatization. Once above about 6500 m, SaO2 flattens out at about 60-65%, and then drops very little because of the large increase in ventilation and the subsequent respiratory alkalosis (which shifts the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve to the left). | ||||||||
|