Acute Respiratory Failure + ARDS Flashcards
what is PaO2 and what is considered hypoxia?
Partial pressure of oxygen in the arteries. Hypoxia is when PaO2 <8 kPa
What is considered hypercapnia?
PaCO2 >6.7 kPa
What is the normal pH range?
7.35-7.45
Is hypoxaemia the same as saying reduced tissue perfusion?
No, shock, hypotension, and VTE also all lead to reduced tissue perfusion whereas hypoxaemia just means low O2 in blood (reduced PaO2)
What are the classifications of Acute Resp Failure (3) with the definition (cutoffs) of each
Acute Type 1: Hypoxia without hypercapnia (PaO2 <8, normal/low CO2 (hyperventilation), pH normal)
Acute type 2: Hypoxia with hypercapnia (PaO2 <8, PaCO2 >6.7, pH <7.35)
Chronic Type 2: Hypoxia with hypercapnia (PaO2 <8, PaCO2 >6.7, Ph normal)
Why is the pH normal in chronic type 2 ARF
Renal compensation with bicarbonate and elimination of H+ but this takes days to weeks compared to the acute version which is hours
What is the difference between hypoxia and hypoxemia?
Hypoxia is the reduced O2 in tissues (hypoperfusion) whereas hypoxemia is reduced PaO2 (in the arteries)
Hypoxemia occurs due to failure of gas exchange as a result of 5 mechanisms. List each of these mechanisms and their effect on PaO2 and PaCO2.
Shunt V=0 (fluid or exudate clogging alveoli) => mostly reduced PaO2
V/Q mismatch => Regional deadspace ventilation and/or intrapulmonary shunting. It reduces PaO2 while increasing PaCO2
Hypoventilation: by definition reduced ventilation leading to reduction PaO2 while increasing retention of PaCO2
Diffusion limitation: reduced PaO2
Reduced inspired O2 tension: Reduced PaO2 (high altitude)
What is normal V/Q?
There are physiological differences within the lung based on different zones which are more evident when diseased causing V/Q mismatch. Explain this
What are the 2 most common causes of this acutely?
Normal V/Q = 1
The apices of the lung receive the most ventilation but least perfusion whereas the lower regions of the lung are better perfused but more ventilated. => V/Q is highest at the apices and lowest at the bases.
Acute causes: PE, Pneumonia
Oxygen dissociation curve: Explain the curve and the factors affecting it (causing a shift)
The curve represents Hb’s affinity to oxygen at different pressures of oxygen. As PaO2 increases it is more likely to be picked up by Hb. An Hb molecule can hold up to 4 molecules of oxygen with each subsequent one being more difficult to bind to. This is affected by several factors.
Left shift: Better for picking up oxygen in an oxygenated part of the system. Better during exercise. Low acidity (high pH), CO2, Temp, and DPG will shift the curve left
Right shift: Better for tissue perfusion. High acidity (low pH), CO2, Temp, and DPG will shift the curve right. This means that oxygen will be more likely to dissociate from Hb and diffuse across the membrane in areas with low perfusion (high CO2)
What mechanisms may lead to hypercapnia (2) and their effect on PaO2 and PaCO2
Hypoventilation: reduction PaO2 while increasing retention of PaCO2
Dead space areas where Q=0. No diffusion. increases PaCO2
What does the A-a gradient stand for
Alveolar to arterial oxygen gradient
Indicate the effect of each of the following mechanisms of hypoxaemia on the A-a gradient:
Reduced inspired O2 (PiO2/FiO2):
Hypoventilation:
Diffusion limitation:
V/Q mismatch:
Reduced inspired O2 (PiO2/FiO2): Normal
Hypoventilation: Normal
Diffusion limitation: Increased
V/Q mismatch: Increased
Indicate the effect of each of the following mechanisms of hypoxaemia on the A-a gradient:
Pulmonary Embolism:
Pneumonia:
High altitude:
CNS depression:
Morbid obesity:
Emphysema:
ILD:
Pulmonary Embolism: Increased
Pneumonia: Increased
High altitude: Normal
CNS depression: Normal
Morbid obesity: Normal
Emphysema: Increased
ILD: Increased
What is the most common RF for increased physiological dead space?
COPD
What are the 2 different types of deadspace
Anatomical deadspace: Normal, space between upper airway and bronchioles where no gas exchange happens
Physiological/alveolar deadspace: pathological, dead space in alveoli where gas change should be occurring
What diseases may cause diffusion limitation?
Interstitial lung disease, fibrosis, and emphysema. Anything that thickens or disrupts the alveolar-capillary barrier
List the causes of type 1 and type 2 ARF (5 each)
Common: Acute COPD and ARDS (more likely type 2)
Type 1: Acute Asthma, Pulmonary fibrosis, ILD, pneumothorax, pulmonary embolism!!, CHD (shunt), Bronchiectasis, !pneumonia,
Type 2: Severe asthma, pulmonary oedema, opioid/benzo/alcohol overdose, Neuromuscle disorders (myasthenia gravis), CNS depression, Chest wall deformities, polyneuropathy, cervical cord injury, !obestiy hypoventilation syndrome!
Quick History questions in ARF
Dyspnea
Recent illness/Sick contacts
Cough
Wheeze
Fever
Constipation
Smoking
Head injury
Swallowing difficulties
Past med for COPD, asthma, CHD, muscular disorders
What is the tidal volume?
This is the volume of air moving in and out during normal respiration
What is the inspiratory capacity? How is it calculated?
active volume of air inhaled during maximum inhalation
Tidal volume + inspiratory reserve volume
how is inspiratory reserve volume calculated?
Inspiratory capacity - tidal volume
What is vital capacity?
Volume of air breathed out after deepest inhalation
What is PEFR?
What is the normal PEFR?
PEFR is closely related to another measure which is used to assess severity of ARF. What is that measure and how is it used to identify severity?
Peak expiratory flow rate where normal is 20-30L/min
Closely related to FEV1 which is forced expiratory volume in 1 second
FEV1 <75% of baseline is considered moderate
<50 is considered severe
<33 is considered life threatening