hypoxemia

(noun)

An abnormal deficiency in the concentration of oxygen in the blood, be it the partial pressure of oxygen (mm Hg), the content of oxygen (ml oxygen per dl of blood) or the percent saturation of the blood's hemoglobin, singly or in combination.

Related Terms

Examples of hypoxemia in the following topics:

  • Hypoxia

    • Hypoxia differs from hypoxemia in that in the latter the oxygen concentration within the arterial blood is abnormally low.
    • Incorrect use of these terms can easily lead to confusion, especially as hypoxemia is among the causes of hypoxia (in hypoxemic hypoxia).

  • Heart Failure

    • Cyanosis which suggests severe hypoxemia, is a late sign of extremely severe pulmonary edema.

  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome

    • It is characterized by inflammation of the lung parenchyma leading to impaired gas exchange with concomitant systemic release of inflammatory mediators causing inflammation, hypoxemia, and frequently resulting in multiple organ failure.

  • Intubation During Anesthesia

  • Cerebrovascular Accident

    • Hypoxemia (low blood oxygen content) may precipitate the hypoperfusion.