Right-Left (R-L) Shunts (PK5)

Question 1

What is a R-L shunt?

Answer 1

When blood does not pass through a ventilated region of the lung and become oxygenated before reaching the left heart

Question 2

Types of natural R-L shunt

Answer 2

• Thebesian veins
• Bronchial circulation

Question 3

What are Thebesian veins?

Answer 3

Small, valve-less venous channels that open directly into chambers of the heart from capillary bed in cardiac wall

Question 4

What is bronchial circulation?

Answer 4

• 1% of pulmonary arterial blood flow
• 70% of bronchial blood flow supplies intrapulmonary bronchi(oles) and these join pulmonary vein and drain into left atrium