Functional Consequences of Respiratory Diseases

Abstract

This chapter briefly details the major functional consequences of pulmonary diseases. In particular, respiratory disorders are reviewed in terms of their etiopathology and effects on alveolar dead space, conductive shunt, maldistribution shunt-like effect, diffusion impairment, partial pressure of arterial blood gases, acid-base balance, tissue oxygenation, pulmonary circulation, mechanics (static and dynamic) and control of breathing.

Keywords: Asthma, Bronchiectasis, Bronchiolitis, Chronic bronchitis, Chronic-Obstructive-Pulmonary-Disease (COPD), Control-of-Breathing Disorders, Cystic Fibrosis, Emphysema, Extra-thoracic Obstruction, Interstitial Pulmonary-Fibrosis, Mediastinal Diseases, Muco-Ciliary Clearance, Phagocytic-Inflammatory Cells, Pneumonia, Pneumothorax, Pulmonary Edema, Pulmonary Embolism, Pulmonary Hypertension, Respiratory Failure (ARDS, IRDS), Respiratory-Mechanics Disorders.