Respiratory physiology Flashcards
Factors affecting gas exchange
Dead space = proportion of tidal volume not involved in gas exchange
Diffusing capacity = volume of gas transferred over membrane per unit time
shunt = proportion of blood entering left heart without being oxygenated
Dead space
Anatomical = upper airways and conducting zone of respiratory tract. AMV = (TV - dead space) x RR
Alveolar = proportion of alveolar minute ventilation not taking part in gas exchange due to entering under-refused alveoli
Ficks law of diffusion
diffusion of substance affecting by
- concentration different
- diffusion coefficient
- surface area
- thickness (inversely)
O2 diffusion alveoli –> circulation at rest
250ml.min
Shunt
Extrapulmonary
- Thesbian veins (physiological)
- ASD / VSD
Pulmonary
- Bronchial arteries (physiological)
- Atelctasis / consolidation
V/Q
Alveoli ventilated but not perfused have V/Q infinity
Perfused not ventilated have V/Q 0
Normal AMV = 4000ml
Normal CO = 5000ml
Normal V/Q = 0.8
Alveolar gas equation
Partial pressure of alveolar PO2 can’t be measured. Calculated from alveolar gas equation
PA02 = PIO2 - (PaCO2/R)
PIO2 = FiO2 x (PATM - PH20)
PH20 = SVP H20 6.3kPA
PATM = 101.3kPa
Assume PaCO2 = PACO2 and R = 0.8
Arterial Oxygen content
O2 bound to Hb + dissolved
Hb x 1.39 x (SaO2 / 100) + PO2 x 0.003
20ml/100ml
DO2
CaO2 x CO
CaO2 normal value = 20ml/dL
CO = 5L/min
Normal DO2 1000ml/min
VO2
Oxygen consumption per minute
CO x (CaO2 - VaO2) / 100
5 x (20 - 15) = 250ml/min
Oxyhaemoglobin dissociation curve
2a 2b subunits each bind 1 molecule O2, each molecule enhances affinity
P50 = PO2 at which 50% binding sites occupied (3.5kPA)
Sigmoid shape has physiological advantages
- flat upper portion means if PO2 drops, loading of O2 unaffected
- as red cells takes up O2, large partial pressure difference between alveoli and blood continues when most of O2 has been transferred
- steep part of curve means tissues can withdraw large amount of O2 for small drop in capillary O2
Bohr Effect
Describes different affinity for O2 at different pH
At higher pH (lungs) - Hb has greater affinity for O2 (left shift, lower p50) facilitating uptake
At lower pH (tissues) - Hb has lower affinity for O2 (right shift, higher p50) facilitating delivery
Shift of oxyhaemoglobin dissociation curve
LEFT shift (increased affinity)
- Higher pH
- Less 2,3-DPG
RIGHT shift (reduced affinity)
- Lower pH
- Higher temperature
- More 2,3-DPG
2,3-DPG
Produced by side reaction of glycolysis
Present in RBCs
Binds to beta subunits of Hb
Reduces affinity for O2
Increases O2 delivery
Increased in anaemic states, low O2 tension
Hypoxia
Inadequate PO2 to maintain aerobic metabolism in cells
1. Hypoxic hypoxia
- Hypoxic atmosphere (altitude), hypoventilation, V/Q mismatch, diffusion issue
2. Anaemic hypoxia
- Reduced RBC e.g. bleeding, reduced Hb e..g iron deficiency, reduced O2 binding e.g. haemoglobinopathy
3. Stagnant hypoxia
- Hb and PO2 normal but inadequate delivery e.g. shock states
4. Histiotoxic hypoxia
- cells can’t use oxygen e.g. cyanide poisoning
Respiration
Process of producing energy from oxidation of complex organic molecules using O2 and releasing CO2
Phase 1 - production of 2 carbon molecules. 2 ATP
Glucose –> 2 pyruvate –> 2 AcetylCoA
FFA –> AcetylCoA
AA –> pyruvate / AcetylCoA
Phase 2 - Kreb cycle 2 ATP 6NADH2+ 2FADH2
AcetylCoA + oxaloacetate –> citrate
Phase 3 - Electron transport chain. Reduced electrons re-oxidised releasing electrons and energy, passed down the chain and accepted by O2
NADH2+ –> 3 ATP. FADH2 –> 2 ATP
Aerobic = all 3 phases. Glucose –> 38 ATP
Anaerobic = phase 1 only. Glucose –> 2 ATP and lactate
Cellular hypoxia effects
- aerobic –> anaerobic metabolism
- fall in pH –> inhibition of chemical reactions
- fall in ATP –> insufficient energy for functions e.g. ion transport
- loss of cell function —> loss of tissue function
Compensation for hypoxia
Early
1. Local - changes in Hb:O2 affinity (right shift), vasodilation
2. Ventilatory - peripheral chemoreceptors –> increased minute ventilation
3. CVS - chemoreceptors respond to low O2 –> vasoconstriction, tachycardia to increase perfusion
Late
- increase RBCs via EPO
Special circulations and hypoxia
Brain - auto regulation, very dependent on oxidative phosphorylation of glucose. PO2 below 6.7kPA –> exponential rise in CBF
Coronary - high O2 extraction (75%)
Pulmonary - HPVC - divert blood away from less oxygenated lung
CO2
PACO2 approximates to PaCO2
ETCO2 lower than PaCO2 as mixed with lung units that aren’t perfused
CO2 output 200ml.min
AMV 4000ml.min
Alveolar CO2 = 5%
PACO2 affected by change in production / elimination
Decreased
- Respiratory hypcapnia (pain, anxiety, hypoxia)
- compensatory (met. acidosis)
Four course of hypercapnia
1. Increased inspired CO2 (rebreathing)
2. Hypoventilation e.g. CNS, T2RF
3. Increased production - sepsis, MH
4. Compensatory for met. alkalosis
Physiological effects of hypercapnia
Neuro - Low GCS, confusion, flap
- Inc CBF and ICP (vasodilation)
- Narcosis > 12kPa
Resp - tachypnoea
- Inc AMV mediated by central chemoreceptors
- Pulm vasoconstriction (inc PVR)
- right shift Hb:O2 dissociation
CVS - Tachycardia, HTN
- Direct - reduced myocardial contractility, arterial vasodilation, arrhythmia
- Indirect - inc catecholamine - Inc HR and SV, vasoconstriction
Metabolic
- Inc K+ leakage from cells