BIOS 255 Week 7 Case Study Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Introduction
Hemoglobin is an important protein in the human body that carries oxygen from the lungs to different parts of the body. It is a complex molecule that consists of protein globin and non-protein components. Hemoglobin molecules can exist in two states: deoxygenated and oxygenated. When hemoglobin is deoxygenated, it is in the T-state, while when it is oxygenated, it is in the R-state. The binding of oxygen triggers a change in the molecule that stabilizes the T-state and facilitates the transfer to the R-state. On the other hand, carbon monoxide (CO) binding to hemoglobin increases oxygen binding, which prevents oxygen from unloading.
BIOS 255 Week 7 Case Study Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Adam’s case provides an excellent example of the relationship between hemoglobin and oxygen saturation. During the ambulance ride, Adam’s pulse oximeter showed a 100% oxygen saturation level, but the measurement taken at the hospital showed a decrease to 72%. This difference can be attributed to carbon monoxide attachment to hemoglobin, which decreases the amount of oxygen that can be transported to different parts of the body. Inhaled carbon monoxide occupies the space in hemoglobin that would normally be occupied by oxygen, leading to a decrease in oxygen saturation.
One course of treatment for carbon monoxide poisoning is hyperbaric oxygen therapy, which involves the use of a hyperbaric chamber. A hyperbaric chamber increases air pressure to two to three times higher than normal, enabling the lungs to collect more oxygen while breathing pure oxygen at a normal air pressure. This principle allows for more oxygen to be delivered to the body, which can aid in the recovery of patients with carbon monoxide poisoning.
BIOS 255 Week 7 Case Study Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Acidosis is another condition that can impact the hemoglobin dissociation curve. The hemoglobin dissociation curve is a charting technique that plots the amount of hemoglobin that is saturated or attached to oxygen molecules at various partial pressures of oxygen. Adam’s blood work showed that he was in acidosis, with a pH of 7.2, which is below the normal range of 7.35-7.45. Acidosis is caused by the buildup of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the body, making the blood more acidic. This increase in acidity causes a decrease in the affinity of hemoglobin for oxygen, which shifts the hemoglobin dissociation curve to the right. This means that hemoglobin will release oxygen more readily at any given partial pressure of oxygen.
The shift in the hemoglobin dissociation curve due to acidosis can have several implications for patients. For instance, it can affect the oxygen supply to the body’s tissues, leading to hypoxia. In addition, it can cause an increase in the production of 2,3-BPG (2,3-bisphosphoglycerate), a molecule that helps hemoglobin release oxygen to the tissues. The increase in 2,3-BPG production is a compensatory mechanism that helps the body overcome the decrease in oxygen supply due to the shift in the hemoglobin dissociation curve.
Conclusion
To conclude, there are several factors that can impact the hemoglobin dissociation curve, including temperature, pH, CO2 concentration, and 2,3-BPG concentration. These factors can either shift the curve to the right or left, depending on the circumstances. For instance, an increase in temperature can cause the hemoglobin dissociation curve to shift to the right, while a decrease in temperature can cause it to shift to the left.
Another factor that can impact the hemoglobin dissociation curve is altitude. At high altitudes, the partial pressure of oxygen is lower, which can lead to a decrease in oxygen saturation. To compensate for this decrease in oxygen supply, the body increases the production of 2,3-BPG, which helps hemoglobin release oxygen
Reference:
Benner, A. (2021, August 15). Physiology, Bohr effect. StatPearls [Internet]. Retrieved February 20, 2022,from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526028/
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2020, October 28). Hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved February 20, 2022, from
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy/about/pac-20394380
