Respiratory physiology 4 Flashcards
Describe the ventilation-perfusion relationship
Ideally match each other but not the same across the whole lung so can get a mis-match
Ventilation is describing the air getting to the alveoli
Perfusion describes the local blood flow
L/min for both
Describe ventilation and perfusion at base of lungs
Blood flow is higher than ventilation
This is because arterial pressure exceeds alveolar pressure which compresses the alveoli
Describe ventilation and perfusion at the apex of the lungs
Blood flow is lower than ventilation
Because arterial pressure is less than the alveolar pressure which compresses he arterioles
Alveoli compress the vessels in lungs
What is the perfectly matched ventilation: perfusion ratio?
1.0
Mismatch1 at base - ventilation<Perfusion< 1.0
Mismatch 2 at apex - ventilation>Perfusion > 1.0
What percentage of the healthy lung performs well in matching blood and air?
Over 75%
Majority of mismatch is at the apex
autoregulated to keep ratio close to 1.0
Describe what happens when blood flow is more than ventilation
If ventilation decreases in a group of alveoli, PCO2 increases and PO2 decreases.
Blood flowing past these will not be oxygenated
Dilution of oxygenated blood from better ventilated areas
Blood is then shunted from right side to left side of heart without undergoing gas exchange
Describe autoregulation when blood flow is more than ventilation
Decreased tissue PO2 around under ventilated constricts their arterioles, diverting blood to better ventilated alveoli.
Increased PCO2 also causes mild bronchodilation
Describe autoregulation when ventilation is more than blood flow
Alveolar PO2 rises which causes pulmonary vasodilation
PCO2 falls so there is mild bronchial constriction
What is Alveolar dead space?
When ventilation exceeds blood flow so more air that what can participate in gas exchange
Occurs small amount in apex of lungs but can be pathologically in pulmonary embolism
Describe the term shunt
Describes the passage of blood through areas of the lung that are poorly ventilated
Is the opposite of alveolar dead space
What is anatomical dead space?
Refers to the air in the conducting zone of respiratory tract unable to participate in gas exchange as walls of airways in region are too thick
Explain Shunting and dead space on RSA
RSA is respiratory sinus arrhythmia
During inspiration there is increased alveolar dead space
During expiration there is increased shunt
RSA ensures ventilation: perfusion ratio remains close to 1 - increased vagal activity during expiration phase
What is physiologic dead space
Alveolar dead space and anatomical dead space
What are the 2 forms O2 travels in the blood?
In solution in plasma - 3ml per litre of plasma
Bound to haemoglobin protein in red blood cells - 197ml of O2 out of 200ml
How is CO2 transported in the blood?
The bulk of CO2, 77% is transported in solution in plasma due to solubility of CO2
23% is stored within haemoglobin
What is the O2 demand of resting tissues?
250ml/min