Advanced Pathophysiology: Oxyhemoglobin Dissociation Curve

Advanced Pathophysiology
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Advanced pathophysiology
Oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve is used to indicate relationship between saturation and pressure of oxygen in hemoglobin. Ability of hemoglobin to carry oxygen increases as successive molecules of oxygen bind. Oxygen partial pressure increases to allow maximum carriage of oxygen in the hemoglobin. The curve developed a sigmoid shape when the hemoglobin’s maximum limit of carrying more oxygen is reached. In most cases, the curve becomes relatively flat at pressure above 60mmHg because oxygen percentage in the cells does not change even during increase in partial pressure of oxygen (Rudeski, A. 2015). Amount of oxygen into hemoglobin increases at pressure below 60mmHg but it reduces partial pressure of oxygen because it is released to the peripheral tissues which minimizes hemoglobin’s affinity. Oxyhemoglobin curve of a healthy person differs from that of a sick person. Healthy people’s partial pressure remains at 26.6 mmHg whereby hem...