Special circulations Flashcards
Why is it important for the pressure in the pulmonary circulation to be low?
Low pulmonary pressure reduces the amount of tissue fluid formation in the lung. This helps to increase compliance of the lung, reduce the work of breathing and aid exchange of respiratory gases across the alveolar epithelium.
How is reabsorption of fluid in the lung acheived?
In the pulmonary circulation, hydrostatic pressure is less than oncotic pressure from the arteriorlar and venular end. Therefore reabsorption occurs across the pulmonary circulation.
Why does left heart failure result in pulmonary oedema?
Pulmonary oedema occurs if hydrostatic pressure in the pulmonary circulation is increased.
Normally, hydrostatic pressure in the pulmonary circulation is lower than oncotic pressure, so there is reabsorption.
In heart failure, the heart is unable to maintain cardiac output despite normal venous pressure. Blood accumulates in the circulation, raising central venous pressure.
Pressure rises in the pulmonary veins Fluid accumulates in the interstita and alvoelar spaces of the lung.
Perfusion
Blood flow to a capillary bed
Ventilation
Movement of air in and out of the lungs
Dead space
The volume of the respiratory tract not involved in gas exchange.
Occcurs clinically where parts of the lung are poorly perfused or over ventilated.
What determines the rate of gas exchange in the lungs?
Perfusion (blood flow through the alveolar tissue)
What determines the efficiency of gas exhange?
Ventilation and perfusion.
Describe the distribution of perfusion pressure in the lung
Blood flow through different parts of the lungs in uneven.
In the upright position, blood flow at the apex is lowes and highest at the bases. There is a 7-10fold increase in perfusion at the base of the lungs compared to the apex.
There are therefore differences in gaseous exchange down the normal lung. Lowest at the apex, highest at the bases.
Ventilation-perfusion ratio
The ratio of the volume of gas delivered to the alveoli compared with the volume of blood delivered.
Mean ratio 0.8 (4litres of gas, 5litres of blood)
For efficient gas exchange, the ratio should be the same in all parts of the lung
Effect of gravity on pulmonary circulation
Lower parts perfused better
Effect of gravity on lung tissue
Upper parts ventilated better
Lower parts denser and less ventilated
How would failute of ventilation affect the V/Q ratio?
Failure of ventilation can be caused by blockage of the airways e.g. asthma, COPD, pneumothorax
Would result in a venous admixture. Lack of airflow to a part of the lung means blood from that area returning to the pulmonary vein is still deoxygenated.
Blood less well oxygenated compared to normal
How would reduced blood flow affect the V/Q ratio?
Uneven blood flow can arise from anatomical shunts due to airway obstruction, embolism, destruction of vascular beds or increased pulmonary vascular resistance (heart failure)
If there is an area of lung with no perfusion a dead space results (there is no contribution to gas exchange)
Leads to hypoxia (low pO2) and hypercarbia (high pCO2)
How is pulmonary flow regulated?
- pO2 influences pulmonary vascular tone.
Low pO2 is caused when ventilation is low. This results in vasoconstriction (reducing blood flow) High pO2 is caused when ventilation is high results in vasodilation (increases flow).
This means that the perfusion of the alveoli matches the ventilation of the lung
- Rise in cardiac output increases venous return. Pulmonary vessels are distensible and accomodate the change without increasing pulmonary arterial pressure
