23/08/2026
Informative !!
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π‘HYPOXIA: LOW Oβ, MANY CAUSES!
Hypoxia is a sign, not a diagnosis. Understanding the mechanism helps you identify the cause and treat it quickly.
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1οΈβ£ V/Q Mismatch
π Most common cause of hypoxia
πΉ Ventilation and perfusion are mismatched
πΉ Seen in asthma, COPD, pneumonia
π Pearl:
Improves with supplemental oxygen.
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2οΈβ£ Shunt
π Blood bypasses ventilated alveoli
πΉ No gas exchange occurs
πΉ Seen in ARDS, severe pneumonia, atelectasis
π Pearl:
Does NOT significantly improve with oxygen.
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3οΈβ£ Diffusion Defect
π Impaired gas transfer across alveolar membrane
πΉ Pulmonary fibrosis
πΉ Interstitial lung disease
π Pearl:
Worse during exercise.
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4οΈβ£ Hypoventilation
π Reduced alveolar ventilation
πΉ CNS depression
πΉ Neuromuscular disorders
πΉ Obesity hypoventilation
π Pearl:
β PaCOβ + β PaOβ
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5οΈβ£ Low FiOβ
π Reduced inspired oxygen
πΉ High altitude
πΉ Poorly ventilated environments
π Pearl:
Improves with increased FiOβ.
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6οΈβ£ Pulmonary Embolism (PE)
π Perfusion defect
πΉ Sudden dyspnea
πΉ Pleuritic chest pain
πΉ Tachycardia
π Pearl:
Ventilation present, perfusion absent.
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7οΈβ£ ARDS
π Diffuse alveolar injury
πΉ Severe hypoxemia
πΉ Pulmonary edema
πΉ Reduced lung compliance
π Pearl:
Refractory hypoxemia despite oxygen therapy.
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π High-Yield Exam Pearls
π« V/Q Mismatch β Most common
π« Shunt β Doesnβt improve with Oβ
π« Diffusion Defect β Worse on exertion
π« Hypoventilation β High COβ
π« Low FiOβ β High altitude
π« PE β Ventilation without perfusion
π« ARDS β Refractory hypoxemia
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π Master Respiratory Medicine the High-Yield Way with the MedicoNotes Respiratory Book.
π Visit our website: www.mediconotes.com
