Alveolar Gas Equation (PAO2)

Alveolar Gas Equation is used to calculate the partial pressure of oxygen in the alveoli: PAO2 = ( FiO2 * (Patm – PH2O)) – (PaCO2 / RQ). The FiO2 is the fraction of inspired oxygen (usually as a fraction, but entered here as a percentage for ease of use). Patm is the ambient atmospheric pressure, which is 760 mmHg at sea level. PH2O is vapour pressure of water at 37°C and is equal to 47 mmHg (760 mmHg – 47 mmHg). The respiratory quotient or respiratory coefficient (RQ) is the ratio of CO2 eliminated divided by the O2 consumed, and its value is typically 0.8 (RQ = CO2 eliminated / O2 consumed).