pulmonary circulation

Question 1

what are pulmonary shunts

Answer 1

circumstances leading to the bypassing of the respiratory exchange surfaces (more beneficial in utero as not being ventilated so wastes blood)

Question 2

3 types of pulmonary shunts

Answer 2

bronchial circulation, foetal circulation, congenital defects

Question 3

describe a pulmonary shunt in bronchial circulation

Answer 3

blood from left side of the heart supplies the parenchyma but drains back to pulmonary veins to re-enter left side of heart

Question 4

describe two pulmonary shunts in foetal circulation

Answer 4

in utero blood bypasses non-ventilated lungs using the foramen ovale (RA to LA) and the ductus arteriosus (pulmonary arteries to aortic arch)

Question 5

describe two pulmonary shunts in congenital defects

Answer 5

atrial septal defect (patent foramen ovale) or ventricular septal defects lead to blood mixing across the septa

Question 6

2 negative effects of congenital defects pulmonary shunts

Answer 6

increase pressure on right side of heart, causing hypertrophy; blood is mixed so SaO2 lower. compromising filtration of pulmonary circuit