Study objectives: To assess the reliability of new and traditional oxygenation measurements in reflecting intrapulmonary shunt. Design: Prospective study. Setting: Cardiac surgery unit at a university hospital. Patients: Fifty-five patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. Measurements and results: Simultaneous blood samples were collected from an indwelling arterial line and a catheter for determination of blood gases. Standard accepted formulas were utilized to measure a new oxygenation index:, PaO2/fraction of inspired oxygen (FIO2) X mean airway pressure (P (aw) over bar). The standard formulas used were the oxygenation ratio (PaO2/FIO2), PaO2/alveolar partial oxygen pressure (PAO(2)), alveolar-arterial oxygen tension gradient (P[A-a]O-2), and intrapulmonary shunt (venous admixture [Qsp/Qt]). There were significant negative (p < 0.05) correlations between the PaO2/(FIO2 x P (aw) over bar) and Qsp/Qt (r = -0.85), between the PaO2/FIO2 and Qsp/Qt (r = -0.74), and between the PaO2/PAO(2) and Qsp/Qt (r = -0.71). There was a significant positive (p < 0.05) correlation between the P(A-a)O-2 gradient and Qsp/Qt (r = 0.66). However, the correlation was strongest between the PaO2/(FIO2 x P (aw) over bar) and Qsp/Qt. Conclusion; In this group of patients, PaO2/(FIO2 x P (aw) over bar) might be more reliable than other oxygenation measurements in reflecting intrapulmonary shunt.