Anaes SAQs · Applied cardiovascular & respiratory physiology
Ventilation-perfusion matching and the causes of hypoxaemia
Primary — V/Q ratio (about 0.8 to 1.0); apex high V/Q, base low V/Q; spectrum shunt-normal-dead space; shunt refractory to oxygen vs mismatch corrected by oxygen; dead space (PE); five causes of hypoxaemia; A-a gradient separator; HPV.
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Prompt
Define the ventilation-perfusion ratio. Describe the V/Q spectrum and explain how shunt, dead space and V/Q mismatch cause hypoxaemia, including the response to 100 percent oxygen and the alveolar-arterial gradient.
Question
Define the ventilation-perfusion ratio. Describe the V/Q spectrum and explain how shunt, dead space and V/Q mismatch cause hypoxaemia, including the response to 100 percent oxygen and the alveolar-arterial gradient.
References4ShowHide
- [1]Coppola S, et al. Lung Imaging in Acute Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure: From Physics to Bedside Applications. J Clin Med, 2026.PMID 42279206
- [2]Baino B, et al. Eisenmenger Syndrome: The Pulmonology Perspective. Chest, 2026.PMID 42341977
- [4]Evans B, et al. Quantitative perfusion imaging from non-contrast micro-ct for pulmonary embolism evaluation in preclinical models. Phys Med Biol, 2026.PMID 42335950
- [6]Hoecker RN. Partial pressure of oxygen. StatPearls, 2026.PMID 29630271