V/Q
Medical abbreviation · Respiratory
| Stands for | Ventilation-perfusion ratio |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
V/Q stands for Ventilation-perfusion ratio, a respiratory abbreviation.
Relationship between airflow reaching the air sacs and blood flow reaching the lung capillaries; an overall ratio of about 0.8 is normal. Mismatch between the two is the most common cause of low blood oxygen in lung disease.
Example: V/Q mismatch from pneumonia explains hypoxemia that improves with supplemental oxygen.
Usage notes
At the extremes, a shunt has perfusion but no ventilation (ratio of zero) and dead space has ventilation but no perfusion. The nuclear medicine V/Q scan compares the two maps to detect pulmonary embolism, especially in pregnancy, kidney impairment or contrast allergy, and is the preferred screening test for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. Pronounced "V-Q."
Related abbreviations
More respiratory abbreviations
- A-a gradient – Alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient
- AATD – Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
- ABPA – Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis
- AC – Assist-control ventilation
- AECOPD – Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- AERD – Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease
- AHI – Apnea-hypopnea index
- AHRF – Acute hypoxemic respiratory failure
- APAP – Automatic positive airway pressure
- APRV – Airway pressure release ventilation
- ARDS – Acute respiratory distress syndrome
- ARF – Acute respiratory failure
See all 109 respiratory abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.