Hypoxia

Aka: Hypoxia, Hypoxemia

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II. Definition

  1. Hypoxia or Hypoxemia
    1. PaO2 <70 to 80 mmHg

III. Causes

  1. Respiratory Failure
    1. Pulmonary Edema
    2. Pneumonia
    3. Asthma
    4. Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COPD)
    5. Pneumothorax
    6. Pulmonary Embolism
    7. Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
    8. Acute Eosinophilic Pneumonia
    9. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis
  2. Cardiogenic Shock
    1. Congestive Heart Failure
    2. Cardiomyopathy
    3. Pericardial Effusion (Cardiac Tamponade)
    4. Aortic Stenosis
    5. Mitral Stenosis
  3. Miscellaneous Causes
    1. Anemia
    2. Decreased FIO2 of inspired air (high altitude)
    3. Cyanide Poisoning
    4. Salicylate Toxicity

IV. Causes: Hypoxia or Hypoxemia (PaO2 <70 to 80 mmHg)

  1. See Hypoxemia

V. Symptoms

  1. Dyspnea

VI. Signs

  1. Cyanosis
  2. Tachycardia
  3. Tachypnea
  4. Mental status changes
    1. Acute: Altered Level of Consciousness
    2. Chronic: Fatigue, drowsy, inattentive
  5. Oxygen Saturation (O2 Sat) decreased
    1. Usually correlates with PaO2
      1. However, relationship is not linear (See O2 Sat)
      2. Not sensitive for increased A-a Gradient
    2. Conditions where O2 Sat low despite normal PaO2
      1. Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
      2. Methemoglobinemia or other abnormal Hemoglobin

VII. Evaluation and Management

  1. See Dyspnea
  2. See Respiratory Failure

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