Hypercapnia is an excess of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the blood, or gaseous acidosis, which characterizes certain forms of acute respiratory failure. This phenomenon occurs when dysfunctional breathing does not allow CO2 to be properly eliminated from the blood [1]. Hypercapnia occurs when arterial carbon dioxide pressure (PaCO2) exceeds 45 millimeters [Gd1] of mercury (mmHg) [2].


[1] https://www.msdmanuals.com/fr/professional/r%C3%A9animation/insuffisance-respiratoire-et-ventilation-m%C3%A9canique/insuffisance-ventilatoire

[2] https://www.ce-mir.fr/UserFiles/File/national/livre-referentiel/07-ch01-001-017-9782294755163.pdf


 [Gd1]D’autres sources évoquent > 40 mmHg, ex. https://www.vidal.fr/maladies/recommandations/asthme-aigu-grave-4033.html#prise-en-charge