Severity of Ventilation Impairment (PF ratio)

Severity of Ventilation Impairment (PF ratio)

What is the PF ratio?

  • PaO2/FiO2 is the ratio of arterial oxygen partial pressure to fractional inspired oxygen – aka the Carrico or Horrowitz index and the PF ratio.
  • It is a widely used clinical indicator of hypoxaemia, at sea level, it is normally > 500mmHg.
  • Mild – PF ratio 200-300mmHg
  • Moderate – PF ratio 100-200mmHg
  • Severe – PF ratio <100mmHg
Many online calculators are available online, this is one such example: