Some factors affecting pulmonary oxygen transport

Equations governing oxygen transport from alveolar gas to red blood cells flowing through pulmonary capillaries are written down. Some analytical predictions are made on factors affecting the rate at which this process takes place. Numerical simulations are carried out to investigate the effect of red blood cell shape, capillary dimensions, haematocrit and choice of oxygen dissociation curve on pulmonary oxygen transport. These factors all have an effect on pulmonary transport, with the effect being much more marked for simulations with low oxygen levels, typical of those seen in some subjects with respiratory disease.