alveolar dead space and physiological shunt

What is Dead Space?ĭead space refers to the portion of each breath that does not participate in gas exchange because it remains in the conducting airways or reaches alveoli that are not perfused. Small shunts might not significantly impact oxygen levels, but larger shunts can cause severe problems, including shortness of breath, cyanosis, and other signs of low oxygen levels. The effect of shunts on the body is dependent on their size. This results in deoxygenated blood being sent into the systemic circulation, which can lead to hypoxemia, a condition where your body or a region of your body is deprived of adequate oxygen supply.

This can occur due to various reasons, such as when blood vessels bypass the lung tissue (anatomical shunt), or when parts of the lungs are perfused, but not ventilated, leading to a lack of gas exchange (physiological shunt). A shunt refers to a condition where blood passes from the right side to the left side of the heart without being oxygenated in the lungs.

Alveolar dead space and physiological shunt