Hypoxic and Hypercapnic Drive Response

These test measure the patient's response to not getting enough oxygen (hypoxic) or of getting too much carbon dioxide(CO2)(hypercapnic). Minute ventilation and occlusion pressures are used to measure response in hypoxic and hypercapnic response. Hypoxic response is a measure of the change in breathing patterns associated with decreases in inspired O2 concentration while end-tidal CO2 is stabilized. Hypercapnic response is a measure of the change in breathing patterns associated with increases in inspired CO2 concentration when oxygenation is adequate.

Performing the test

1. You will sit while on a mouthpiece with noseclips on and breathe until the end of the test approximately 8 to 12 minutes
2. You will wear a pulse oximeter on your finger to monitor your oxygen saturation level
3. You may listen to music or watch a video during the test
4. A technologist will instruct you on how to perform the test and will monitor you throughout the test