Pulmonary Flashcards
(128 cards)
What are some key differences of pulmonary vessels compared to systemic vessels?
- Larger diameters
- Shorter, more branches
- Higher # of arterioles
- Arterioles do not direct flow
- Lower resistance from lower resting muscle tone in arterioles
What occurs to pulmonary vessels during exercise?
Increased cardiac output leads to a decrease in resistance and increase in blood flow: recruitment and distension
How does lung volume affect vascular diameters and resistance?
Alveolar vessels are compressed at higher lung volumes, which increases R
Extra-alveolar vessels are pulled open by expansion of attached parenchyme, which decreases R
Results in a drop in total R followed by an increase
What is hypoxic vasoconstriction?
Constriction of pulmonary vessels below avleolar PO2
What three things affect intravascular pressure (Piv)?
Cardiac cycle - high compliance system does not dampen pulse
Vertical position - gravity leads to high Q at base, low Q at apex
Respiratory cycle - Inspiration: PA Patm
What is the relationship of arterial, alveolar, and venous pressure in the three zones (of West)?
Zone 1: Above LA, decr. Piv.; alv. capillaries crushed –> low Q
PA > Pa > Pv
Zone 2: At LA; arterioles dilated but venules squeezed leading to incr. R and low Q
Pa > PA > Pv
Zone 3: Below LA, causing incr. Piv; Ptm along vessel dilates it causing decr. R
Pa > Pv > PA
How is left atrial pressure measured?
Swan-Ganz catheter threaded through R heart to pulm aa., measuring pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP), usually 7-8mmHg
What determines the rate of fluid flux out of capillaries?
According to Starling’s Law:
- Difference in capillary and interstitial hydrostatic P
- Difference in oncotic pressure of lung interstitium and plasma multiplied by the reflection coefficient of the membrane
What is Poiseuille’s equation and how does it relate to pulmonary hypertension?
Ppa = Q x PVR + PCWP
The difference in P b/t the pulmonary a. P and left atrial P depends on the blood flow and pulm. vascular R
What are some causes of pulmonary HTN?
Incr. Q: L to R shunts
Incr. Rp: hypoxic vasoconstr., clot, tumor, inflammation
Incr. left atrial P: left ventricular cardiomyopathies, valvular dz
What happens in fetal circulation after birth?
Ductus arteriosus, foramen ovale close due to decr. in R atrial P
Fetal pulm. circulation incr. P due to incr. PO2 and PGI2/PAF
How does PCWP cause pulmonary edema?
When PCWP > 18-25mmHg, fluid moves from the capillaries into the interstitium. If the rate of clearance is exceeded pulmonary edema (interstitial first, then alveolar) will occur
What are the steady state values of PAO2/PaO2 and PACO2/PaCO2? How are these calculated?
PAO2 = 104mmHg PACO2 = 40mmHg PaO2 = 100mmHg PaCO2 = 40mmHg
Pressure of a gas in air present in alveoli (Pi) depends on humidity (PH2O) and the total P of inspired air
Pi = (Ptot - PH2O)(%Pi)
What is anatomic dead space? How can it be measured?
The 150mL of inspired air that remains in the conducting airways after each breath.
Measured by Fowler N2 washout method: pt inhales 100% O2, exhaled air is analyzed for N2. N2 in dead space mixes with inhaled O2
What is physiologic dead space?
VD(phys) = VD(anat) + VD(alv)
Proportion of dead space in each breath:
VD/VT = (PACO2 - PTCO2) / PACO2); normally ~30%
How is alveolar ventilation measured?
Alv V: flow of air into alveoli taking part in gas exchange; must be sufficient for CO2 removal, so PACO2 ~ VCO2 / VA
VA = 0.863 (VCO2 / PACO2)
How do parasympathetic and sympathetic NS affect airflow?
Para: bronchoconstr
Sympa: bronchodilates
Act via increasing [cAMP] in smooth muscle cells
What is vital capacity?
VC = ERV + IC VC = ERV + VT + IRV
Max. vol. of air that can be expelled after a maximal inspiration
What is residual volume?
RV = FRC - ERV
Volume of gas remaining in lungs after forced expiration
What is expiratory reserve volume?
Volume of air beyond normal tidal volume that can be forcibly expired
What is inspiratory reserve volume?
Volume of air beyond normal tidal volume that can be forcibly inspired
What is functional residual capacity?
FRC RV + ERV
Volume of gas remaining in lungs after tidal expiration; cannot be directly measured
What two factors contribute to lung collapsibility?
Alveolar surface tension: surfactant lowers T when r reduced, preventing collapse of smaller alveoli into larger ones
Elastic fibers: alveoli tethered by fibers in interstitium tend to pull and hold alveoli open - lowers R – radial traction
What is the differential diagnosis for obstructive lung disease?
F - foreign body A - asthma C - chronic bronchitis/bronchiectasis E - emphysema S - small airway disease