FA17 says that normal A-a gradient for oxygen is 10-15 mm Hg. Doesn't this mean that normally oxygen is diffusion limited?
I am a little bit confused here, as multiple sources (including FA17) say that oxygen normally (in a healthy person at rest) is perfusion limited.
If oxygen is really perfusion limited, shouldn't A-a gradient be zero?
Any ideas highly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
I am a little bit confused here, as multiple sources (including FA17) say that oxygen normally (in a healthy person at rest) is perfusion limited.
If oxygen is really perfusion limited, shouldn't A-a gradient be zero?
Any ideas highly appreciated. Thanks in advance.