When an individual's blood PaO2 is within normal limits (80-100 mm Hg):
Shift of oxygen dissociation curve to the right or left does not significantly affect hemoglobin's ability to transport oxygen to the peripheral tissues.
However, when an individual's blood PaO2 falls below the normal range:
A shift to the right or left can have a remarkable effect on the hemoglobin's ability to pick up and release oxygen.
This is because shifts below the normal range occur on the steep portion of the curve.
For example, consider the loading and unloading of oxygen during the following clinical conditions:
Picture the loading of oxygen onto hemoglobin as blood passes through the alveolar-capillary system at a time when the alveolar oxygen tension (PAO2) is moderately low, around 60 mm Hg.
Normally, when the PAO2 is 60 mm Hg, the plasma PaO2 is about 60 mm Hg, and Hb is about 90% saturated.
right_shift.jpg
If, however, the oxygen dissociation curve shifts to the right, the hemoglobin will be only about 75 percent saturated with oxygen as it leaves the alveoli.
R_Shift_loading.jpg
In view of this gas transport phenomenon, it should be stressed that:
Total oxygen delivery may be much lower than indicated by a particular PaO2 value when a disease process is present that causes the oxygen dissociation curve to shift to the right.
Although total oxygen delivery may be decreased in the above situation plasma PO2 at the tissue sites does not have to fall as much to unload oxygen.
For example, if tissue cells metabolize 5 vol% oxygen at a time when the oxygen dissociation is in the normal position:
When the plasma PO2 is 60 mm Hg, the PO2 must fall to about 35 mm Hg to free 5 vol% oxygen for metabolism (PO2 falls 25 mmHg)
R_Shift_unloading.jpg
If, however, the curve shifts to the right in response to a pH of 7.1:
Plasma PO2 at tissue sites would only have to fall from 60 mm Hg to about 40 mm Hg to unload 5 vol% oxygen from the hemoglobin (a decrease of 20 mm Hg)
RShiftunloading2.jpg
If the oxygen dissociation curve shifts to left in response to a pH of 7.6:
Hemoglobin will be about 95 percent saturated with oxygen leaving the lungs
left_shift_loading.jpg
Although total oxygen increases in the previously mentioned situation, plasma PO2 at the tissue sites must decrease more than normal in order for oxygen to dissociate from the hemoglobin (remember left shift increases the affinity or the strength of the bond between hemoglobin and oxygen, so the pressure gradient must be greater to cause it to release the oxygen)
If the curve shifts to the left because of a pH of 7.6:
Plasma PO2 at the tissue sites would have to fall from 60 mm Hg to about 30 mm Hg to unload 5 vol% oxygen from the hemoglobin (a decrease of 30 mm Hg)
Left_shift_unloading.jpg
The illustration from Cardiopulmonary Anatomy and Physiology summarizes the important values that you should know
Normal SaO2