This curve describes the relationship between available oxygen and amount of oxygen carried by hemoglobin.

• The horizontal axis is Pa0₂, or the amount of oxygen available.

• The vertical axis is SaO₂, or the amount of hemoglobin saturated with oxygen.

• Once the PaO₂ reaches 60 mm Hg the curve is almost flat, indicating there is little change in saturation above this point.

  • So, PaO₂ of 60 or more is usually considered adequate.

  • But, at less than 60 mm Hg the curve is very steep, and small changes in the PaO₂ greatly reduce the SaO₂.

• The term "affinity" is used to describe oxygen's attraction to hemoglobin binding sites.

  • Affinity changes with:
    • variation in pH,
    • temperature,
    • CO₂ and,
    • 2,3,-DPG
      • a metabolic by-product which competes with O₂ for binding sites.
  • Traditionally the curve starts with:
    • pH at 7.4,
    • temperature at 37 Centigrade, and
    • PaCO₂ at 40.

  • Changes from these values are called "shifts".

    
    Click a button to shift the curve.

• A left shift will increase oxygen's affinity for hemoglobin.

  • In a left shift condition (alkalosis, hypothermia, etc.) oxygen will have a higher affinity for hemoglobin.

  • SaO₂ will increase at a given PaO₂, but more of it will stay on the hemoglobin and ride back through the lungs without being used. This can result in tissue hypoxia even when there is sufficient oxygen in the blood.

• A right shift decreases oxygen's affinity for hemoglobin.

  • In a right shift (acidosis, fever, etc.) oxygen has a lower affinity for hemoglobin. Blood will release oxygen more readily.

  • This means more O₂ will be released to the cells, but it also means less oxygen will be carried from the lungs in the first place.

  Also See pH and Temperature

 Courtesy of RnCeus Interactive