V:Q mismatch, ventilatory depression and gas toxicities (physio) Flashcards
What is the O2 cascade?
O2 transfer from air to tissues
Consequence of O2 cascade
When one starts of w/ low pO2 than at sea lvl -> cascadic effect -> subsequent O2 levels at alveolus and systemic arteries are much lower -> compromise O2 supply at tissue
Changes in atmospheric pO2 at high altitude
pO2 decreases
How does ventilation change at high altitude?
Ventilation increases -> decreased pCO2 and H+ and increased pH
Symptoms of acute mountain sickness
Fatigue, headache, dizziness, nausea, palpitations
What is acute mountain sickness due to?
Hypoxia
Consequence of acute mountain sickness
Alkalosis -> decreased H+ -> increased pH
How does body acclimate to sustained low pO2 levels to relieve hypoxia?
Increase 2,3 DPG in RBC -> reduced Hb affinity for O2 -> more O2 released to tissues
Increased erythropoietin -> increased RBC -> more O2 carried in blood
How does body acclimate to high altitudes to relieve alkalosis?
Restoration of pH by kidneys -> H+ excretion decrease and HCO3- reabsorption decrease
Solns to acute ascent problems
Physio -> strong hypoxic drive to increase ventilation
Human intervention -> artificially increase atmospheric O2 in the internal environment
Describe oxygenation of blood at normal alveolar capillary unit
Alveolar ventilation and capillary diffusion matched such that there is oxygenation of blood flow thru unit and CO2 is removed -> pO2 rise from 40-60mmHg
- efficient gas exchange takes place -> at steady state -> ventilation and perfusion well matched
Define dead space
Vol of air inspired which doesn’t undergo gas exchange
How does alveolar dead space affect gas exchange?
Alveolar is ventilated but there is no perfusion -> gas exchange decreases
What is a shunt?
Deoxygenated blood returns to systemic circulation w/o passing thru ventilated alveoli
What happens to gas exchange during shunt condition?
No alveolar ventilation but there continues to be capillary perfusion thru the alveolar capillary unit -> gas exchange decreases
How to describe alveolar dead space and shunt in terms of ventilation/perfusion?
Alveolar dead space = wasted ventilation
Shunt = wasted perfusion
How does alveolar dead space and shunt affect arterial blood gas?
Decreased O2 uptake -> decreased pO2
Increased CO2 retained -> increased pCO2
Normal V/Q ratio and what it indicates
Normal = 1
- there is ventilation and perfusion
What does V/Q value of infinity indicate?
Alveolar dead space -> have ventilation but no perfusion
What does V/Q value of 0 indicate?
Shunt -> have ventilation but no perfusion
Describe gas composition when V/Q ratio is infinity
Resembles that of atmospheric gas composition as air continues to be replenished by atmosphere