Effects of respiratory rate on venous-to-arterial CO tension difference in septic shock patients undergoing volume mechanical ventilation.

Background: To explore the effects of the respiratory rate (RR) on the venous-to-arterial CO tension difference (gapCO) in septic shock patients undergoing volume mechanical ventilation.

Methods: Adult patients with septic shock underwent volume mechanical ventilation between October 2015 and October 2016. RR was started at 10 breaths/min, and 2 breaths/min were added every 60 min until 16 breaths/min was reached.