Hyperventilation blows off carbon dioxide, resulting in a decreased plasma carbon dioxide content and a respiratory alkalosis. H+ ions are thus less abundant, exposing negative charged moieties on albumin molecules. Calcium may bind to these sites, resulting in a decreased venous free calcium concentration (apparent hypocalcaemia).
Arterial oxygen content changes little as, in healthy subjects, there is scarce room to increase haemoglobin saturation.
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