Respirology/ ICU

Why is Oxygen Therapy used for Pneumothorax?

Why Nitrogen?? Nitrogen makes up a majority of the air we breathe (approximately 78%). By giving a patient 100% Oxygen, you decrease the partial pressure of nitrogen in the patient’s blood, thereby establishing a diffusion gradient. Of course, you create an O2 diffusion gradient in the other direction as well, but the O2 diffuses more slowly and is quickly absorbed by surrounding tissues.

*However, care should be taken in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who may retain carbon dioxide.

References

1. Baumann M H, Strange C, Heffner J E. et al Management of spontaneous pneumothorax: an American College of Chest Physicians Delphi consensus statement. Chest 2001119590–602.602.

2. Henry M, Arnold T, Harvey J. BTS guidelines for the management of spontaneous pneumothorax. Thorax 200358(Suppl II)ii39–ii52.ii52 

3. Ng C S, Lee T W, Wan S, Yim A P. Video assisted thoracic surgery in the management of spontaneous pneumothorax: the current status. Postgrad Med J 200682179–185.185 

Get Medical Pearls directly to your inbox every week!
Weekly posts with high yield medical knowledge, directly to your mailbox!
Dr. C Humphreys

Internal Medicine

Share
Published by
Dr. C Humphreys

Recent Posts

Nocturia and OSA: Mechanism

Nocturia is a common symptom associated with obstructive sleep apnea. [1] Img Cred: Am J…

1 year ago

ASD vs. VSD Murmur Difference

ASD (Atrial Septal Defect) Wide, Fixed split S2 (in contrast to the normal variation in…

1 year ago

Mechanism of a Mixed Apnea

Mixed apneas are characterized by absent respiratory effort and airflow in the first section of…

2 years ago

How Does Hypothyroidism Cause Hypoventilation?

Although rare, the differential diagnosis of hypoventilation and hypercapnia respiratory failure includes hypothyroidism. It is…

2 years ago

Why is Pro-BNP/ BNP lower in Obesity?

B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a hormone created in response to cardiac wall stretch due…

3 years ago

What is Peribronchovascular Distribution on CT imaging?

A common finding described on computed tomography (CT) imaging. A disease with a peribronchovascular distribution…

3 years ago

This website uses cookies.