Question

Pulmonary edema is a condition caused by excess fluid in the lungs. this fluid collects in the alveoli. what parameter of the fick equation increases during pulmonary edema?

Answer 1

During pulmonary edema, the interstitial space increases resulting to a smaller diffusion.  The increased interstitial space makes oxygen not to have enough time to reach the red blood cell resulting to partially oxygenated blood. Using the Fick equation there will be an increase in the level of oxygen coming from the lungs.