Abbreviation: PCO₂
The partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the blood. May refer to venous (PvCO₂) or, more commonly, arterial blood (PaCO₂). PaCO₂ is dependent on the ventilation-perfusion ratio, the amount of CO₂ produced by cellular respiration, and the acid-base balance of the body. The normal range for arterial blood is usually 35–45 mm Hg.