Carbon dioxide, or CO2 is formed by the body during metabolism and is exhaled by the lungs. Combined with oxygen in cylinders, it is used to control breathing in ANAESTHESIA and in the treatment of victims of CARBON MONOXIDE (CO) poisoning.
Measuring the partial pressure of the gas by taking a blood sample to estimate BLOOD GASES provides information on the adequacy of breathing. A high partial pressure may indicate impending or actual respiratory failure.