L10 - Ischaemia, infarction, shock Flashcards
what is hypoxia?
reduced oxygen availability in tissues which causes cell injury by reducing aerobic oxidative respiration.
are the effects of hypoxia reversible?
yes can be reversible or result in adaption - prolonged hypoxia causes cell death (irreversible)
what effect does chronic hypoxia have at a cellular level?
atrophy prolonged - necrosis
what are the causes of hypoxia?
- cardio respiratory failure - low ambient oxygen (e.g. altitude) - anemia - carbon monoxide poisoning - ischaemia
what might cause inadequate blood oxygenation?
cardio respiratory failure low ambient oxygen (e.g. altitude)
what might cause a decreased blood oxygen-carrying capacity?
anaemia carbon monoxide poisoning
what does localised tissue hypoxia result from?
reduction in blood flow to an organ or tissues - not generalised like hypoxia
what is the most common obstruction to arterial supply leading to ischaemia?
atherosclerosis embolism thrombosis
which is more severe, Non-ischaemic (generalised) hypoxia or Ischaemia?
Ischaemia injures tissues faster / more severely NB: hypoxia is impaired oxygen supply only - other metabolites such as glucose still supplied for respiration - complete block in ischaemia
is rapid restoration of blood flow always therapeutic for ischaemia?
only if ischaemia is limited/short duration if it’s prolonged you will have necrosis and oxygen will not be able to reverse it.
what is ischaemia?
Localised tissue hypoxia due to decreased blood flow to an organ or tissue
what is infarction?
Tissue necrosis as a consequence of ischaemia (i.e. ischaemic necrosis)
does ischaemia most commonly occur as a result of arterial or venous obstruction
arterial NB: both are possible
What is ischaemia-reperfusion injury?
generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by sudden repercussion of ischaemic (dysfunctional) tissues
what generates reactive oxygen species (ROS)?
inflammatory cells - cause further cell damage
why is ischaemia-reperfusion injury clinically relevant?
- forms injury - up to 50% of infarct bay be due to IRPI generally reperfusion is still better than infarction
what is an “infarct”?
an area of infarction in a tissue
what are the main causes of infarction? and most commonly in which type of vessel?
thrombosis/embolism, rupture/thrombosis or atherosclerotic plaque arterial
what are causes, other than atherosclerosis, of infarction?
– Vasospam – Atheroma expansion – Extrinsic compression (e.g. tumour) – Twisting of vessel roots (e.g. volvulus) – Rupture of vascular supply (e.g. AAA)
what is venous occlusion?
blockage of veins also causes infarction but is uncommon
what is the most common clinical. outcome of infarction?
venous obstruction and congestion but no infarction
which type of organs are vulnerable to venous infarction?
organs with a single venous outflow
infarction can be classified morphologically by what?
colour
what are the two. types of infarction?
red infarction (haemorrhagic) white infarction (anaemic)



