Changes in haemoglobin binding curve and oxygen transport in chronic hypoxic lung disease. Issue 5958 (15th March 1975)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Flenley, D C; Fairweather, L J; Cooke, N J; Kirby, B J
• Is Part Of: BMJ. Volume 1:Issue 5958(1975)
• Page Start: 602
• Page End: 604
• Publication Date: 1975-03-15
• Subjects: Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine; Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1136/bmj.1.5958.602
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1447

Abstract

Abstract : Direct measurements of the factors determining blood oxygen transport in 10 patients with chronic hypoxic respiratory failure led to the conclusion that wide differences in the position of their oxygen binding curves, due to spontaneous differences in red-cell 2, 3-diphosphoglycerate, had little effect on oxygen delivery to the tissues, as assessed by the mixed venous oxygen tension when they were breathing air. This result arises from the shape of the oxygen binding curve. A drug which could shift the curve to the right would help tissue oxygenation in cardiogenic and other forms of shock, when a low cardiac output can not be improved though arterial blood can be well oxygenated.