Bohr integral isopleths in the study of blood gas exchange in the lung.

Abstract

A new method is described for considering oxygen exchange in the lungs using Bohr integral isopleths and ventilation perfusion ratio isopleths superimposed on the oxygen dissociation curve. It has the advantage of dealing simultaneously with the effects of any given diffusing capacity and any given ventilation-perfusion ratio on the end-capillary blood and alveolar gas when inspired gas and venous blood compositions are known. The assumptions underlying the Bohr integrating procedure are examined and the effect of reaction rates between oxygen and hemoglobin on the Bohr integral is considered. It is concluded that in terms of the quantity of oxygen transfer, as opposed to oxygen tension, the errors resulting from the assumptions are small. Several useful insights on oxygen transfer in the lungs are afforded by the use of these isopleths,,.