Role of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction in pulmonary gas exchange and blood flow distribution. 1. Physiologic concepts.

The regulation of the distribution of ventilation/perfusion ratios by hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction contributes to both the efficiency of gas exchange and to pulmonary hemodynamics. In this review, the first of two part series, are summarized the physiologic principles on which the analysis of ventilation/perfusion ratios and of pressure-flow relationships are based. A new combined analysis is introduced that permits the important contributions of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction to overall gas exchange to be demonstrated in the circumstances of clinical complexity.