Influence of hematocrit and temperature on solubility of acetylene and dimethyl ether.

Estimation of pulmonary capillary blood flow (Qc) and tissue volume (Vt) by rebreathing acetylene (Ac) and dimethyl ether (DME) is dependent on the blood-gas partition coefficient (lambda) of these gases. We investigated the effects of hematocrit (Hct) and temperature on lambda. Human and canine blood was equilibrated at different Hct for 40 min at 37.5 degrees C with 1% Ac and 1% DME in air. Gas concentration in the headspace was measured by gas chromatography. lambda Ac increased with increasing Hct, suggesting a slight lipid affinity, whereas lambda DME decreased with increasing Hct, displaying the known blood-water content dependence. The influence of temperature on lambda in the range of 32--47 degrees C was investigated also. lambda Ac and lambda DME decreased as the temperature was raised, in accordance with the Gibbs-Helm-holtz equation. Empirical equations were derived to relate lambda to to Hct and temperature.