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  1. Fig. 24.2, According to Fick’s law, diffusion of a gas across a sheet of tissue ( V ˙ gas ) is directly related to the surface area (A) of the tissue, the diffusion constant (D) of the specific gas, and the partial pressure difference (P 1 − P 2 ) of the gas on each side of the tissue, and it is inversely related to tissue thickness (T) .
    The partial pressure of oxygen in the alveoli (PAO₂) can be calculated using the alveolar gas equation: PAO₂ = (PB - PH₂O) × FiO₂ - (PaCO₂ / R), where PB is the barometric pressure, PH₂O is the water vapor pressure, FiO₂ is the fraction of inspired oxygen, PaCO₂ is the arterial carbon dioxide pressure, and R is the respiratory quotient (typically around 0.8).

    Alveolar Gas Equation

    The alveolar gas equation is essential for assessing pulmonary gas exchange and diagnosing hypoxemia. The formula is as follows:
    \[ PAO₂ = (PB - PH₂O) \times FiO₂ - \left(\frac{PaCO₂}{R}\right) \]
    • PB: Barometric pressure (usually around 760 mmHg at sea level).
    • PH₂O: Water vapor pressure (approximately 47 mmHg at body temperature).
    • FiO₂: Fraction of inspired oxygen (e.g., 0.21 for room air, 0.40 for 40% oxygen).
    • PaCO₂: Partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood, measured via arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis.
    • R: Respiratory quotient, typically around 0.8.

    Example Calculation

    For example, if a patient is breathing room air (FiO₂ = 0.21), with a barometric pressure of 760 mmHg, a water vapor pressure of 47 mmHg, and a PaCO₂ of 40 mmHg, the calculation would be:
    1. Calculate the effective pressure of oxygen:
    \[ PAO₂ = (760 - 47) \times 0.21 - \left(\frac{40}{0.8}\right) \]
    \[ PAO₂ = 713 \times 0.21 - 50 \]
    \[ PAO₂ = 149.73 - 50 \]
    \[ PAO₂ = 99.73 \, \text{mmHg} \]

    Importance of PAO₂

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