A perfusion scan looks at how blood is flowing within your lungs. In a perfusion scan, the radioactive tracer is absorbed evenly where blood flow is normal. Areas that are not getting blood don't absorb the tracer. In a ventilation scan, the tracer will fill the lungs unless you have an area where the air can't move.

Pulmonary ventilation (V) and Perfusion (Q) scan, also known as lung V/Q scan, is a nuclear test that uses the perfusion scan to delineate the blood flow distribution and the ventilation scan to measure airflow distribution in the lungs.

How can we report this procedure? Ohio Subscriber Answer: For pulmonary ventilation/perfusion imaging with aerosol ventilation and lung perfusion, you can submit code 78582 [...]

This scan assesses blood supply (Q) and aeration (V) to your lungs. The combination of V and Q helps us understand the function of your lungs.