12/17/2023 0 Comments Understanding dead space vs shunt![]() ![]() All three of these conditions can contribute to an increase in A-a gradient and cause hypoxemia. Diffusion problems can occur when the alveolar walls are fibrosed and oxygen cannot diffuse across the alveolar wall into the blood stream. High V/Q is also called dead space and low V/Q is called shunting. V/Q mismatch means a mismatch of ventilation to perfusion (V/Q) ratio and can represent either too little perfusion due to blood flow obstruction (high V/Q) or too little ventilation due to airway obstruction (low V/Q). An increase in A-a gradient can occur in hypoxemia and the causes include V/Q mismatch such as dead space or shunting and diffusion problems. The normal A-a gradient is 10 to 15 mmHg. The A-a gradient represents the difference in partial pressure of oxygen between the alveoli and the arteries.
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