Oxygen Pressure Field Theory: A detailed description of vital gas exchange, at the capillary level for perfusionists

Perfusionists are familiar with oxygen delivery and consumption of the Fick principle. Oxygen pressure field theory goes a step further by describing vital gas exchange at the capillary level. This article uses the Krogh cylinder model to describe the principles of the oxygen and carbon dioxide pressure fields, perfused capillary density, anoxic and hypercapnic lethal corners, axial oxygenation, oxygen loading strategy for deep hypothermic circulatory arrest, and the effect of edema on tissue oxygenation. These aspects of the oxygen pressure field theory can give the perfusionist additional insight into clinical perfusion applications.