Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction is a physiological phenomenon in which pulmonary arteries constrict in the presence of hypoxia (low oxygen levels) without hypercapnia (high carbon dioxide levels), redirecting blood flow to alveoli with higher oxygen tension.
The process might at first seem illogical, as low oxygen levels should theoretically lead to increased blood flow to the lungs to receive increased gaseous exchange. However, it is explained by the fact that constriction leads to increased bloodflow to better-aerated areas of the lung, which increases the total area involved in gaseous exchange.
External links
External links
- American Thoracic Society
- American Journal of Physiology, Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology
- Overview at ccmtutorials.com
Several factors inhibit this process including increased cardiac output, hypocarbia, hypothermia, acidosis/alkalosis, increased pulmonary vascular resistance, inhaled anesthetics, calcium channel blockers, PEEP, HFV, isoproterenol, nitrous oxide, vasodilators.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]