Journal d'anesthésiologie et de recherche sur la douleur

Hypoxemia a Critical Point to be Consider during Anaesthesia and Surgical Care

Abstract

Seth Stimberg

Humans can only survive for a few minutes without oxygen, which is why it is such an important element for life. In order to sustain homeostasis in the body, there must be a balance between oxygen demand and delivery. The respiratory and cardiovascular systems are the two main organ systems responsible for oxygen supply in the body and maintaining homeostasis. Hypoxemia and its negative repercussions would result if any of these two functions abnormally. Hypoxemia can be caused by a variety of factors, but the most common underlying cause is a ventilation/perfusion mismatch. The current review will concentrate on the definition, aetiology, mechanisms, and treatment of hypoxemia in humans. Hypoxemia is characterised by a drop in the partial pressure of oxygen in the blood, whereas hypoxia is characterised by a reduction in tissue oxygenation. It could be caused by either a lack of oxygen delivery or a lack of oxygen use by the tissues. Hypoxia and hypoxemia do not necessarily go hand in hand. If there is a compensatory rise in haemoglobin level and cardiac output, patients can develop hypoxemia without hypoxia (CO).