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Hello,
I am a medical student and need some help in understanding how does high flow supplemental oxygen in COPD lead to an increase in alveolar dead space?
From my understanding alveolar dead space represents alveoli that are ventilated but poorly perfused and provision of oxygen supplementation should reverse the hypoxic vasoconstriction and lead to better perfusion.
I came across this article in Pubmed which states:
"A high fraction of inspired O2 (FiO2) will increase O2 tension in alveoli with a low level of ventilation, inhibiting hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction. As a result, alveoli with relatively impaired ventilation are well perfused, leading to an increase in Va/Q mismatch"
I am confused how can we have high O2 tension in an alveolus that has low level of ventilation? I thought by giving supplemental Oxygen and improving PAO2 (Alveolar partial pressure of oxygen), we improve "Ventilation"?
Can someone clear me on this concept, please?
I am a medical student and need some help in understanding how does high flow supplemental oxygen in COPD lead to an increase in alveolar dead space?
From my understanding alveolar dead space represents alveoli that are ventilated but poorly perfused and provision of oxygen supplementation should reverse the hypoxic vasoconstriction and lead to better perfusion.
I came across this article in Pubmed which states:
"A high fraction of inspired O2 (FiO2) will increase O2 tension in alveoli with a low level of ventilation, inhibiting hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction. As a result, alveoli with relatively impaired ventilation are well perfused, leading to an increase in Va/Q mismatch"
I am confused how can we have high O2 tension in an alveolus that has low level of ventilation? I thought by giving supplemental Oxygen and improving PAO2 (Alveolar partial pressure of oxygen), we improve "Ventilation"?
Can someone clear me on this concept, please?