ABSTRACT
The term hypoxia refers to inadequate oxygen delivery to the tissues to meet the prevailing metabolic demands. Hypoxia can be due to reduced arterial oxygen content (e.g. anemia), reduced tissue blood flow, or reduced arterial saturation (hypoxemia). Hypoxemia can result from a lower inspired oxygen concentration (e.g. altitude), from a reduction in alveolar ventilation (hypoventilation), from diffusion impairments (e.g. interstitial lung disease) or from inequalities in the relationship between alveolar ventilation and blood flow (ventilationperfusion mismatch).
