Summary
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1.
Diffusion of gases may be described by the equation V=[Sd(Pa-Pc)t]/x.
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2.
Gas travels↡om the environment to the blood through the following: (a) mass flow down the trachea,(b) diffusion across the alveoli, (c) diffusion through the lung membrane, (d) diffusion through the plasma and into the red cell.
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3.
Diffusion of oxygen, which is relatively insoluble, depends on a gradient for oxygen between the alveolus and the capillary and on the time of contact of blood and alveolar air.
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4.
Nitrogen and inert gases equilibrate rapidly and are not affected by diseases affecting the pulmonary membrane.
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5.
Carbon dioxide diffuses readily because of its high solubility.
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6.
Alveolar capillary block and diffusion respirations are described and some anaesthetic considerations given.
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Sleath, G.W., Jenkins, L.C. & Graves, H.B. Diffusion in anaesthesia. Can. Anaes. Soc. J. 10, 72–82 (1963). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03020165
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03020165