AA APEX: RESPIRATORY: PHYSIOLOGY Flashcards
Anatomic dead space begins in the mouth and ends in the:
Terminal Bronchioles
The airway is functionally divided into 3 zones: What are the 3 zones?
conducting, respiratory, transitional.
The conducting zone is from the
nares and mouth to the terminal bronchioles
What zone of the airway is the anatomic dead space?
Conducting zone
The respiratory zone is where gas exchange occurs. This region extends from the
respiratory bronchioles to the alveoli.
In what respiratory zone does gas exchange occurs?
The respiratory zone
What is ventilation ?
Ventilation is the process of exchanging gas between the atmosphere and the lungs.
Explain the 2 cricical function of the gas exchange process during ventilation?
O2 is delivered to hemoglobin to support aerobic metabolism.
CO2 (the primary end-product of aerobic metabolism) is eliminated from the blood.
Breathing Muscles: To effectively ventilate, we need a mechanism that repeatedly changes______ over time. By changing the lung volume, we create a pressure gradient that transfers gas into and out from the lungs.
lung volume; pressure gradient that transfers gas into and out from the lungs.
Contraction and relaxation of the breathing muscles allow us to produce cyclic changes in ________throughout the respiratory cycle.
thoracic volume
Inspiration–> Contraction of the inspiratory muscles
Contraction of the inspiratory muscles reduces thoracic pressure and increases thoracic volume. This is an example of Boyle’s law.
What happens during inspiration ? What muscles are involved.
The diaphragm and external intercostals contract during inspiration (tidal breathing).
What muscle increases the superior-inferior dimension of the chest?
The diaphragm
What muscles increase the anterior-posterior diameter.?
The external intercostals
Accessory muscles of inspiration include which 2 muscles?
include the sternocleidomastoid and scalene muscles.
What is the drive for Exhalation?
Exhalation is usually passive; this process is driven by the recoil of the chest wall.
Active exhalation is carried out by which muscles?
abdominal musculature (rectus abdominis, transverse abdominis, internal obliques, and external obliques).
Active exhalation is done by which muscles ?
Mnemonic: I let the air out (exhale) of my TIREs (Transverse abdominis, Internal oblique, Rectus abdominis, External oblique).
The internal intercostals serve a secondary role in
active exhalation
When does Exhalation becomes an active process? when
minute ventilation increases or in patients with lung disease, such as COPD.
A forced exhalation is required to
cough and clear the airway of secretions
What is the vital capacity needed for an effective cough?
vital capacity of at least 15 mL/kg is required for an effective cough.
Functional Divisions of the Airway
conduit (or a tube) to transfer gas between the atmosphere and the blood -
Which part of the airway zone serves as both air conduit and gas exchange?
Transitional Zone
2 that would be considered would be considered part of the transitional zone
respiratory bronchioles and alveolar ducts
The respiratory zone begins at the respiratory bronchioles. It also includes the alveolar ?
alveolar ducts and alveolar sacs.
The conducting zone begins at the ______and ends where?
nares and mouth and ends with the terminal bronchioles.
What are the last structures perfused by the bronchial circulation?
The terminal bronchioles are the
Does the conducting zone participate in gas exchange?
The conducting zone does not participate in gas exchange - it is anatomic dead space.
Airway Patency
For air movement (and gas exchange) to occur, the airways must remain patent (open). To prevent airway collapse, What pressure balance must occur?
Alveolar pressure is the pressure inside the airway.
Intrapleural pressure is the pressure outside the airway.
Transpulmonary pulmonary pressure (TPP) is the difference between the pressure inside the airway and the pressure outside of the airway.
the pressure inside the airway must be greater than the pressure outside of the airway.
Alveolar pressure is the pressure
inside the airway.
Intrapleural pressure is the pressure
outside the airway.
Transpulmonary pulmonary pressure (TPP) is the difference between the
pressure inside the airway and the pressure outside of the airway
What happens when the transpulmonary pressure is positive?
If TPP is a positive value, then the airway stays open.
What happens when the transpulmonary pressure is negative?
If TPP is a negative value, then the airway collapses.
Aside from pathologic states, such as_____ the only time that intrapleural becomes positive is during
pneumothorax; forced expiration.
Alveolar pressure becomes slightly_______during inspiration and slightly _____during expiration. When is there no airflow?
negative during inspiration
positive during expiration
There is no airflow at FRC or end-inspiration.
Transpulmonary pressure is always
positive (keeps the airway open).
Intrapleural pressure is always negative
(keeps lungs inflated).
What is the primary determinant of carbon dioxide elimination?
Alveolar Ventilation
Tidal Volume: What is tidal volume?
.
A tidal volume (Vt) is the amount of gas that is inhaled and exhaled during the breath.
Tidal Volume: What is tidal volume?
A tidal volume (Vt) is the amount of gas that is inhaled and exhaled during the breath.
When you take a breath, part of the Vt is delivered to the respiratory zone
(gas exchange occurs here), while the remainder of the Vt sits in the conducting zone (dead space).
When the patient exhales,______is removed first followed by _______of respiratory zone gas.
conducting zone gas (anatomic dead space) is removed first.
This is followed by exhalation of respiratory zone gas.
Any condition that increases dead space makes it more difficult to
Therefore, increased Vd widens the PaCO2-EtCO2 gradient and causes CO2 retention.
eliminate expiratory gases from the lungs.
Any condition that increases dead space makes it more difficult to
eliminate expiratory gases from the lungs.
An increased Vd widens the_______ and causes ___________
PaCO2-EtCO2 gradient and causes CO2 retention.
The ventilation rate is the
Volume of air moved into and out of the lungs in a given period of time. We care about minute ventilation and alveolar ventilation.
Minute ventilation (VE) is the amount of (think about the formula)
air in a single breath (Vt) multiplied by the number of breaths per minute (RR)
MV formula is
MV = TV x RR
Alveolar ventilation only measures
fraction of VE that is available for gas exchange. Said another way, it removes dead space gas from the minute ventilation equation.
Alveolar ventilation (VA) =
( TV - deadspace) x RR
Alveolar ventilation(VA) (related to PaCO2)
CO2 production / PaCO2
VA is directly proportional to
Carbon dioxide production (a higher CO2 production stimulates the body to breathe deeper and faster so it can eliminate more CO2)
VA is inversely proportional to
PaCO2 (faster and deeper breathing reduces PaCO2).
Conditions that increase dead space tend to
increase the volume of the conducting zone or reduce pulmonary blood flow.
Dead space is reduced by anything that reduces the volume of the conducting zone or increases pulmonary blood flow. Examples include an
ETT, LMA, or neck flexion.
Dead space is reduced by anything that
reduces the volume of the conducting zone or increases pulmonary blood flow
Which conditions will MOST likely increase the PaCO2 to EtCO2 gradient? (Select 3.) HPA
–HYPOTENSION
–POSITIVE PRESSURE VENTILATION
–ATROPINE
Hypotension AND THE PaCo2 and ETCO2 gradient? Atropine is a bronchodilator, so it increases anatomic dead space by increasing the volume of the conducting zone.
Positive pressure ventilation increases alveolar pressure, which increases ventilation relative to perfusion. This is another way of saying that dead space increases.
reduces pulmonary blood flow, which increases alveolar dead space.
How does Atropine affect the PaCo2 to ETCo2 gradient? is a bronchodilator, so it
Atropine is a bronchodilator and it increases anatomic dead space by increasing the volume of the conducting zone.
How does Positive pressure ventilation affect the PaCo2 to ETCo2 gradient?
It increases alveolar pressure, which increases ventilation relative to perfusion. This is another way of saying that dead space increases.
What are the 4 types of dead space?
Anatomic
Alveolar
Physiologic
Apparatus
Anatomic dead space definition? and example?
Air confined to the conducting airways/ Examples Nose/mouth –> terminal bronchioles.
Alveolar dead space definition? and example?
Alveoli that are ventilated but not perfused
Physiologic dead space.
Anatomic Vd and Alveolar Vd
Apparatus dead space? Example
Vd added by equipment ; face mask, heat moisture exchange
Dead Space to Tidal Volume Ratio (Vd/Vt) is the fraction of the
The fraction of the tidal volume that contributes to dead space is called the Vd/Vt ratio.
Factors that alter dead space or the V/Q relationship will alter the
Vd/Vt ratio.
In the spontaneously ventilating patient, we assume that dead space is 2 mL/kg or 150 mL in a 70 kg patient. Therefore…
Vd/Vt = 150ml/450 ml = 0.33
***The most common cause of increased Vd/Vt under general anesthesia is a.
reduction in cardiac output
If the EtCO2 acutely decreases, you should first rule out
hypotension before considering other causes of increased dead space.
ETT tube on dead space
Decreases dead space.
Face mask on dead space
Increases dead space.
Does an LMA Reduces or increases Vd? HOW?
An LMA reduces Vd because it bypasses much of the anatomic Vd between the mouth to the glottis (similar to the ETT)
Does atropine increases or decreases Vd?
Atropine increases Vd, because its bronchodilator action increases the volume of the conducting airway.
Does neck extension increase or decrease Vd?
Neck extension increases Vd, because it opens the hypopharynx and increases its volume.
3 airway equipments that decreases Vd?
ETT
LMA
Tracheostomy
3 airway equipments that increases Vd?
FM
HMEs
PPV
Drugs that increase Vd>
Anticholinergics because they bronchodilates
Age and increased Vd
Old age increases Vd
Neck position on Vd
Extension increase Vd
Flexion decrease Vd
Pathophysiology: What can cause an increased in Vd. as far as CO, Pulmonary blood flow
Decreased CO and Pulmonary blood flow both increased vd.
2 conditions that can cause an increased in Vd?
PE caused by thrombus, air, amniotic fluid, bone
COPD
Sitting position on Vd
Increase
Positions that decreases Vd.
Supine
Head down positions
If dead space increases,
minute ventilation (RR, Vt, or both) must increase to maintain a constant PaCO2. For example, if the Vd/Vt ratio is 0.8 – 0.9 as a result of severe chronic bronchitis, then minute ventilation must increase to 30 – 50 L/min to maintain a normal PaCO2!
In the circle system, dead space begins at the
y-piece. Anything proximal to the y-piece does not influence dead space nor does increasing the length of the circuit.
Circle system dead space begins at the Y piece, The only exception to this rule is
an incompetent valve in the circle system. In this situation, the entire limb with the faulty valve becomes apparatus dead space.
This equation allows us to calculate physiologic dead space?
Physiologic dead space can be calculated with the Bohr equation
The Bohr equation compares the
partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the blood vs. the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in exhaled gas
Many clinicians use the difference between
PaCO2 and end-tidal CO2 as a gross estimation of dead space. This estimation does not determine the cause of dead space, but only that dead space has changed.
A patient is in the sitting position. When compared to the apex of the lung, which of the following are higher in the base?
Partial pressure of alveolar carbon dioxide
Blood flow
The non-dependent region (apex in the sitting position) has a
The dependent region (base in the sitting position) has a
Higher PAO2 and a higher V/Q ratio (V > Q)
Higher PACO2 and has a lower V/Q ratio (V < Q).
As far as the alveolar compliance curve ventilation is ____L/min and perfusion is _______L/min yielding to an overall V/Q ration of
4; 5; 0.8
Compliance formula is
Change in volume/ Change in pressure.
Where is ventilation the greatest in the lung and why?
Ventilation is greatest at the lung base due to higher alveolar complaince.
Where is perfusion the greatest in the lung and why?
Greatest at the lung bases due to gravity .
Ventilation in the alveoli in the apex ? The slope of the curve is
alveoli in the apex have the poorest ventilation, because they have the poorest compliance. The slope of the curve is less steep in this region, so there’s a smaller volumetric change throughout the respiratory cycle.
The alveoli in the base have the_____why?
greatest ventilation, because they have the greatest compliance. The slope of the curve is more steep in this region, so there’s a larger volumetric change throughout the respiratory cycle (i.e., better ventilation).
At a lung volume below FRC (a low lung volume), compliance will be
less
Alveolar Perfusion (Q): 2 that affect the distribution of blood flow to the lung.
Gravity and hydrostatic pressure affect the distribution of blood flow to the lung.
When standing upright, Explain where in the lung the blood flow is greatest and where it is the lowest?
There is less blood flow towards the apex of the lung, and there is more blood flow towards the base. This explains why there are higher V/Q ratios towards the apex and lower V/Q ratios towards the base.
Gas that remains equal in dependent and nondependent region of the lung
PAN2
Alveolar Ventilation, compliance and PACO2 in the nondependent region vs dependent region?
Nondependent –> Decrease alveolar ventilation and decrease alveolar compliance, and decrease PACO2 and increased PAO2
Dependent –> Increase alveolar ventilation and Increase alveolar compliance, and Increase PACO2 and decreased PAO2
Blood flow, vasculature pressure and vasculature resistance in the nondependent region vs dependent region?
Nondependent: Decrease Blood flow, decrease Vascular pressure, increase resistance
Dependent: Increase blood flow, increase vascular pressure, decrease resistance.
2 True statements about HPV :
Bronchioles constrict to minimize zone 1.
Blood passing through underventilated alveoli tends to retain CO2.
Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction minimizes
shunt (not dead space).
V and Q are perfectly matched where the what 3 lines intersect.
V/Q ratio
Pulmonary blood flow
Ventilation
Towards the apex: V ___Q
Towards the base: V ____Q
> ;
Towards the apex: V ___Q (blood flow or CO)
Towards the base: V ____Q (blood flow or CO)
> ;
What is the most common cause of Hypoxemia in the PACU?
V/Q mismatch (specifically atelectasis) is the most common cause of hypoxemia in the PACU
V/Q mismatch (specifically atelectasis) is the most common cause of hypoxemia in the PACU. As FRC becomes smaller (the result of anesthesia and surgery), there is
less radial traction to hold the airways open. The result is atelectasis, right-to-left shunt, V/Q mismatch, and hypoxemia.
Treatment of hypoxemia in the PACU includes
humidified O2 and maneuvers designed to reopen the airways (mobility, coughing, deep breathing, and incentive spirometry).
Consequences of V/Q Mismatch: What Happens in Underventilated Alveoli?
Blood passing through underventilated alveoli tends to retain CO2 and is unable to take in enough oxygen.
Consequences of V/Q Mismatch: What Happens in OVERventilated Alveoli?
Blood passing through overventilated alveoli tends to give off an excessive amount of CO2. Remember that CO2 diffuses 20 times faster than oxygen. Even though this blood can eliminate a large amount of CO2, it cannot take up a proportionate amount of O2. This is explained by the flatness of the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve.
With the oxyhgb dissociation curve, Once the PaO2 reaches 100 mmHg, hemoglobin is
fully saturated, and any additional oxygen that enters the blood must be dissolved in the blood (this is a very small amount). Said another way, an alveolus can transfer much more CO2 than it can O2.
A lung with V/Q mismatch does what to CO2?
eliminates CO2 from overventilated alveoli to compensate for the underventilated alveoli. This is why the PACO2-PaCO2 gradient usually remains small with V/Q mismatch. CO2 retention indicates failure of this compensation mechanism.
A lung with V/Q mismatch
cannot absorb more oxygen from overventilated alveoli to compensate for underventilated alveoli. This is why the PAO2-PaO2 gradient is usually large with V/Q mismatch.
What is the compensation for a V/Q mismatch?
The body responds to these imbalances by attempting to match ventilation to perfusion. To combat dead space (zone 1), the bronchioles constrict to minimize ventilation of poorly perfused alveoli. To combat shunt (zone 3), hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction reduces pulmonary blood flow to poorly ventilated alveoli.
What does the law of Laplace states?
What are the variables of the equation?
The law of Laplace states that as the radius of a sphere or cylinder becomes larger, the wall tension increases as well. The variables in this equation include: Tension Pressure Radius
The law of Laplace describes the relationship between
pressure, radius, and wall tension.
Cylinder shape Law of laplace equation? Examples are
Tension = pressure x radius ;
Examples: blood vessels, cylindrical aneurysms
Spherical shape Law of laplace equation?
Tension = Pressure x radius /2
Examples: Alveoli/ cardiac ventricles/ Saccular aneurysms.