Outline the physiological detection and response to an acute decrease in PaO2
Candidates were expected to focus on the physiology (including mechanisms) involved with
detection of hypoxia (e.g. peripheral chemoreceptor stimulation) as well as response.
Examples of response included sympathetic stimulation, the respiratory centre and organ
specific (e.g. cardiac, CNS, blood, cellular, etc) responses. This topic is well covered within a
number of fundamental texts, in particular, Nunn’s Respiratory Physiology. In general
candidates’ answers were not “broad” enough, lacked detail and were too focused on
chemoreceptors only.
Detection of hypoxaemia
Response to hypoxaemia
Semenza, Gregg L. "Hypoxia-inducible factors in physiology and medicine." Cell 148.3 (2012): 399-408.
Ward, D. S., S. B. Karan, and J. J. Pandit. "Hypoxia: developments in basic science, physiology and clinical studies." Anaesthesia 66 (2011): 19-268.
Fukuda, Yasuichiro, et al. "Autonomic nerve and cardiovascular responses to changing blood oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the rat." Journal of the autonomic nervous system 28.1 (1989): 61-74.