THE ALVEOLAR-ARTERIAL OXYGEN PRESSURE GRADIENT IN ANEMIA 1

Abstract

In anemia the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood is reduced but it is generally believed that the resting arterial oxygen saturation is normal. Of 10 anemic and 11 normal subjects, the anemic group had a significantly lower arterial oxygen tension and higher alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient than the normal group. Taking all subjects together, there was a significant negative correlation between hemoglobin concn. and A-A gradient. It appears possible to account for this effect on the basis of "venous admixture" in normal or near-normal quantities.