It is a curve that plots haemoglobin in its saturated form
against the oxygen tension. Haemoglobin is represented on vertical
axis and oxygen tension on horizontal axis.
Factors affecting saturation of haemoglobin -
- pH - decrease in pH leads to decrease in oxygen saturation
capacity of haemoglobin. While increase in pH leads to increase in
oxygen saturation capacity.
- CO2 - low CO2 leads to increased oxygen saturation.
- High altitude - at high altitudes oxygen saturation capacity
decreases.
- Anemia - in anemia deficiency of RBC leads to low oxygen
saturation
- Heart failure - it leads to decreased oxygen saturation