What is a V/Q scan?
A V/Q scan consists of two imaging tests that look for certain lung problems. The tests are:
- A ventilation scan, which measures how air moves in and out of your lungs
- A perfusion scan, which measures circulation (how blood flows in the lungs)
The two scans may be done separately or together.
A V/Q scan uses a small amount of a radioactive substance called a tracer that helps look for disease in the body. The scans help diagnose different lung conditions, including a pulmonary embolism (PE). A PE is a life-threatening blockage in an artery in the lungs. It usually happens when a blood clot in another part of the body breaks loose and travels to the lungs.
Other names: ventilation/perfusion scan, pulmonary ventilation/perfusion scan, lung scan, lung V/Q scan