Resp - Physio (Pulmonary circulation & related concepts) Flashcards
Pg. 599-601 in First Aid 2014 Sections include: -Pulmonary circulation -Pulmonary vascular resistance -Alveolar gas equation -Oxygen deprivation -V/Q mismatch -CO2 transport -Response to high altitude -Response to exercise
What kind of resistance and compliance does the pulmonary circulation normally have?
Normally a low-resistance, high-compliance system.
Compare the effects of PO2 and PCO2 on pulmonary and systemic circulation.
PO2 and PCO2 exert opposite effects on pulmonary and systemic circulation.
What effect does a decrease in PAO2 have on the lungs, and why?
A decrease in PAO2 causes a hypoxic vasoconstriction that shifts blood away from poorly ventilation regions of lung to well-ventilated regions of lung.
What are the 2 types of gas exchange?
(1) Perfusion limited (2) Diffusion limited
Describe perfusion limited gas exchange. Include gases involved and gas equilibration.
Perfusion limited - O2 (normal health), CO2, N2O. Gas equilibrates early along the length of the capillary. Diffusion can be increased only if blood flow increases.
Describe diffusion limited gas exchange. Include gases involved and gas equilibration.
Diffusion limited - O2 (emphysema, fibrosis), CO. Gas does not equilibrate by the time blood reaches the end of the capillary.
How can diffusion be increased in perfusion limited gas exchange?
Diffusion can be increased only if blood flow increases.
What cardiac condition can be caused by pulmonary hypertension? What are 3 symptoms that characterize this?
A consequence of pulmonary hypertension is cor pulmonale and subsequent right ventricular failure (jugular venous distention, edema, hepatomegaly)
What is the equation for Diffusion?
Diffusion: Vgas = A/T x Dk(P1 - P2) where A = area, T = thickness, and Dk(P1 - P2) ~ difference in partial pressures
What effect do emphysema and pulmonary fibrosis have on the factors in the Diffusion equation?
A (area) decreased in emphysema, T (thickness) increased in pulmonary fibrosis
Draw graphs comparing Perfusion limited versus Diffusion limited. Make the axes partial pressure of gas in pulmonary capillary blood (Pa) versus Length along pulmonary capillary. Label the partial pressure of gas in alveolar air (PA).
See p. 599 in First Aid 2014 for two graphs on left
Draw a graph of Oxygen in the following conditions: Normal, Exercise, and Fibrosis. Make the axes partial pressure of gas in pulmonary capillary blood (Pa) versus Length along pulmonary capillary. Label the partial pressure of gas in alveolar air (PA).
See p. 599 in First Aid 2014 for graph on right
What is the equation for Pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR)?
PVR = (P pulm artery - P L atrium) / Cardiac output, P pulm artery = pressure in pulmonary artery & P L atrium = pulmonary wedge pressure
What is the relationship between pressure, flow, and resistance?
Remember: Pressure differential = Q x R, so R = Pressure differential / Q
What is the equation for Resistance?
R = 8nl/(pi)r^4, where n = viscosity of blood, l = vessel length, & r = vessel radius
What is the alveolar gas equation?
PAO2 = PIO2 - (PaCO2) / R = 150 - (PaCO2) / 0.8, where PAO2 = alveolar PO2 (mmHg), PIO2 = PO2 in inspired air (mmHg), PaCO2 = arterial PCO2 (mmHg), and R = respiratory quotient = CO2 produced / O2 consumed
What is the respiratory quotient?
R = respiratory quotient = CO2 produced / O2 consumed
What value is the A-a gradient?
A-a gradient = PAO2 - PaO2 = 10-15 mmHg
In what context may A-a gradient increase? What are 3 examples of causes leading to this context?
Increased A-a gradient may occur in hypoxemia; causes include shunting, V/Q mismatch, fibrosis (impairs diffusion)
What defines hypoxemia?
Hypoxemia (low PaO2)
What are 2 classifications of hypoxemia? Give examples of each.
(1) Normal A-a gradient - High altitude, Hypoventilation (2) High A-a gradient - V/Q mismatch, Diffusion limitation, Right-to-left shunt
What defines hypoxia?
Hypoxia (low O2 delivery to tissues)