1. Pulmonary Assmt & Physiology Flashcards
Ventilation is the
movement of air in (from the atmosphere) and out (from the body) to maintain appropriate concentrations of O2 and CO2.
Ventilation: Central Control
brain stem: primary control
-senses blood pH, decrease in PH –>ventilation is
stimulated.
-a decrease in pH = acidosis, which results in an
increase in the rate and/or depth of breathing
Ventilation: Peripheral Control
PaO2 “sensors” in the aortic arch: secondary control
-Senses PaO2 of blood, decrease in PaO2 –>ventilation
stimulated.
-Decrease in PaO2 = hypoxemia, which results in an
increase in the rate and/or depth of breathing
-Chronic PaCO2 retainers rely on mild hypoxemia for
ventilator drive. If the PaO2 is corrected to normal,
this may result in a decreased drive to breathe
(ventilate).
Ventilation:
What is the clinical indicator of ventilation? How do you know that your pt is ventilating normally?
You need to know the PaCO2 (NOT the PaO2).
Ventilation:
What is minute ventilation?
-Tidal Volume (Vt) x RR (resp rate) – easily seen on the ventilator of a pt who requires mechanical ventilation.
-Normal ventilation is ~4L/minute.
-An increase in minute ventilation = an increase in work of breathing.
Ventilation:
What is the primary muscle of ventilation?
-Diaphragm
-Anything that affects the “health” of the diaphragm (deconditioning, hypoxemia, acidosis, hypophosphatemia) will adversely affect ventilation.
Ventilation:
What is the position for optimal ventilation
-Upright sitting position
-Supine position is NOT good for ventilation; if a pt is in respiratory distress, the worse position for th pt is flat on his or her back!
Dead Space Ventilation:
Volume of air that does not participate in gas exchange
-Anatomic dead space: ~2 mL/kg of Vt
-We all have this; it’s normal
-No gas exchange at level of nose down to alveoli
-Alveolar dead space: pathologic, non-perfused alveoli,
PE
-Physiological dead space = anatomic dead space +
alveolar dead space
What results in increased dead space?
Pulmonary embolism!!
A clot in the pulmonary circulation (a pulmonary embolus): no blood flow past alveoli in that area of the pulmonary circulation. Figure 4 -1
Pulmonary perfusion: the main function of the pulmonary system is
Gas exchange. For gas exchange to occur normally, there needs to be ventilation. However, movement of air alone is not enough for normal gas exchange. There needs to be perfusion, movement of blood past alveoli.
Pulmonary perfusion is the movement of
blood through pulmonary capillaries.
-Any decrease in blood flow past alveoli (e.g. pulmonary embolus, low cardiac output states) will affect the ventilation/perfusion ratio and gas exchange.
Normal ventilation/perfusion ratio:
4L ventilation/min (V) / 5L perfusion/min (Q) = V/Q ratio
Ideal lung unit = 0.8 ratio, normal V/Q ratio
Any problem that alters ventilation (V) or perfusion (Q)
can result in abnormal gas exchange if compensatory mechanisms are not successful.
For example, even though it is not a pulmonary problem, a low cardiac output can result in poor gas exchange.
Won’t calculate V/Q ratios on text but will need to know that pulmonary problems will result in abnormal V/Q ratios (mild to extreme) depending upon the extent of the problem
Effect of Gravity on Pulmonary Perfusion
-In the upright position, most pulmonary blood is in the lower lung lobes (figure 4-2 A).
-When lying supine, most pulmonary blood is posterior (figure 4-2 B).
-Rarely are ALL lung units are perfused, but an example would be vigorous exercise (figure 4-2 C).
What are the clinical implications of Gravity on Pulmonary Perfusion
***You want the “good” lung down!!
-Large right lung pneumonia: if the pt is turned to the right (“bad” lung), more blood goes to the right, and the pt may become hypoxemia.
-Thus, the pt should not be turned to the right side.
***Perfusion of under-perfused anterior chest alveoli explains the improved oxygenation seen during PRONE positioning for severe hypoxemia.
**Normal V/Q Ratio
When there are no problems with either ventilation or perfusion, the pt will have normal gas exchange on room air (figure 4-3)
Abnormal V/Q ratio
-When there is a problem with ventilation or perfusion, there is a V/Q mismatch.
-The pt will develop hypoxemia on room air. However, providing oxygen will generally correct the hypoxemia until the etiology can be determined and addressed (figure 4-4)
Treatment of V/Q mismatch
Give O2.
Identify and treat underlying problem