Respiratory 2 Flashcards
Characteristics of pulmonary circulation
Low resistance
High compliance
Low pressure (compared to systemic circulation)
What is the significance of the low perfusion pressure in the pulmonary circulation?
Low perfusion pressure = low filtration pressure = reducing the possibility of developing pulmonary edema and helps keep the alveoli dry
What is the normal cardiac output
5 L/min
Describe the distribution of pulmonary blood flow in supine position
MAP is the same all over the lungs = uniform perfusion pressure in lungs
Describe the distribution of pulmonary blood flow in standing position
Gravity changes the hydrostatic pressure and divides the lung into 3 zones:
- low flow (apex)
- moderate flow
- maximal flow (base)
Lowest blood flow is at the ______ of the lung
Apex
Highest blood flow is at the _______ of the lung
Base
How is pulmonary blood flow regulated
- Systemic arteries dilate (when tissue P02 is low)
- to increase the blood flow and oxygen delivery to that hypoxic tissue
- Pulmonary arteries constrict (when alveolar PO2 is low)
- to divert the blood to better ventilated regions
When would systemic arteries dilate to regulate pulmonary blood flow 
When tissue PO2 is low
When would Pulmonary arteries constrict to regulate pulmonary blood flow
When alveolar PO2 is low
What is the driving force for both O2 diffusion and CO2 diffusion ?
Partial pressure differences
Hypoxia at high altitudes :
Why is it so important to put on your own oxygen mask before assisting others in the case of depressurization at high altitudes?
To stay conscious
How to calculate partial pressure of inspired oxygen PIO2 ?
PIO2 (trachea) =
( barometric pressure - partial pressure of water) x fraction of inspired oxygen
So….
PIO2 = (PB - PH2O) x FIO2
Constants:
PB = 760 mmHg
PH2O = 47 mmHg
FIO2 = 0.21 (21% of air is made of O2)
NOTE: PB is also known as atmospheric pressure
PIO2 = (253 - 47) x 0.21 = 43 mmHg
LOW pressure cannot live without oxygen tank
(Normal level around 149-150)
What is the alveolar air equation for ?
Calculation of partial pressure of O2 in the alveoli
The alveolar partial pressure of oxygen is about
100 mmHg
Factors that control transfer of gases across the alveolar capillary membrane
Alveolar surface area (A)
Diffusion constant (D)
Partial pressure difference (P1-P2)
Thickness of membrane (T)
How to calculate gas diffusion Vgas
Gas diffusion across the respiratory membrane is directly proportional to
Gas diffusion across the respiratory membrane is inversely proportional to the ________________.
Thickness (T) of the membrane
Oxygen is carried in the blood in 2 forms
- Dissolved O2
- O2 bound to hemoglobin (oxyhemoglobin)
How is dissolved O2 measured
It is measured clinically in an arterial blood gas sample as PAO2
 Oxygen is carried in the blood in 2 forms : Which form carries the majority of oxygen
- Dissolved O2 (MINOR)
- carries 3 mlO2/L of blood - O2 bound to hemoglobin (MAJOR)
- carries 196 mlO2/L of blood
What color is oxyhemoglobin
Red
What color is deoxyhemoglobin
Blue
Normal hemoglobin concentration
14-16 gm/dL
(Or 150 gm/L)
How to calculate O2 content ?
O2 content = dissolved O2 + O2 hemoglobin
What is cyanosis
Bluish color of skin occurs when blood concentration of deoxyhemoglobin is more than 6 - 8 gm/dL
Two types of cyanosis
Central cyanosis
Peripheral cyanosis
Central cyanosis indicates….
Ventilatory problem
Low O2 saturation
Low cardiac output
Peripheral cyanosis indicates….
Poor circulation in the small peripheral vessels
Explain Hemoglobin – oxygen association/saturation curve
The hemoglobin- oxygen dissociation/saturation curve will shift to the RIGHT at which capillaries ??
Systemic capillaries