asphyxia

Impaired or absent exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide on a ventilatory basis; combined hypercapnia and hypoxia or anoxia. [G. a- priv. + sphyzo, to throb]

- cyanotic a. a. to the point of sufficient destruction of hemoglobin to produce cyanosis.

- local a. stagnation of the circulation, sometimes resulting in local gangrene, especially of the fingers; one of the symptoms usually associated with Raynaud disease.

- symmetric a. SYN: Raynaud syndrome.

- traumatic a. cyanotic a. due to trauma; the extravasation of blood into the skin and conjunctivae, produced by a sudden mechanical increase in venous pressure, analogous to the Rumpel-Leede test; it is common in those who have been hanged, and is seen occasionally in crush injuries. SYN: pressure stasis.

* * *

as·phyx·ia as-'fik-sē-ə, əs- n a lack of oxygen or excess of carbon dioxide in the body that is usu. caused by interruption of breathing and that causes unconsciousness compare SUFFOCATION

as·phyx·i·al -sē-əl adj

* * *

n.

suffocation: a life-threatening condition in which oxygen is prevented from reaching the tissues by obstruction of or damage to any part of the respiratory system. Drowning, choking, and breathing poisonous gas all lead to asphyxia. Unless the condition is remedied by removing the obstruction (when present) and by artificial respiration if necessary, there is progressive cyanosis leading to death. Brain cells cannot live for more than about four minutes without oxygen.

* * *

as·phyx·ia (as-fikґse-ə) [Gr. “a stopping of the pulse”] pathological changes caused by lack of oxygen in respired air, resulting in hypoxia and hypercapnia; see also respiration. asphyxial adj