Setting Tidal Volume for a New Ventilator Patient

Practice using height and sex to calculate predicted body weight, then choose an initial lung-protective tidal volume range.

Source

Source: Bocklage T, Balk RA. Setting the Tidal Volume In Adults Receiving Mechanical Ventilation: Lessons Learned From Recent Investigations. July 2017.

Patient Parameters

Height (inches) 70

Gender Male Female

Example Calculation Based on Sliders

Step 1 of 2

PBW Step 1

Height Difference

PBW = 50 kg + (2.3 kg/in x (height in inches - 60 in))

Step 1 Height difference 70 in - 60 in = 10.0 in

PBW Step 2

Multiply Difference by 2.3

Added kg = 2.3 kg/in x height difference

Step 2 Multiply difference by 2.3 2.3 kg/in x 10.0 in = 23.0 kg

PBW Step 3

Add the Sex Constant

Predicted body weight = sex constant + added kg

Step 3 Add the sex constant 50 kg + 23.0 kg = 73.0 kg

Tidal Volume Step 1

Low Tidal Volume

Low VT = 6 ml/kg x predicted body weight

Step 4 Low tidal volume 6 ml/kg x 73.0 kg = 438 ml

Round tidal volume results to whole milliliters.

Tidal Volume Step 2

High Tidal Volume

High VT = 8 ml/kg x predicted body weight

Step 5 High tidal volume 8 ml/kg x 73.0 kg = 584 ml

Round tidal volume results to whole milliliters.

Compact Review

Compact Calculation

PBW = 50 kg + (2.3 kg/in x (height in inches - 60 in))

Height difference70 in - 60 in = 10.0 in
Added kg2.3 kg/in x 10.0 in = 23.0 kg
PBW50 kg + 23.0 kg = 73.0 kg
Low VT6 ml/kg x 73.0 kg = 438 ml
High VT8 ml/kg x 73.0 kg = 584 ml

Practice Patient

Sex Male

Height 70 in

Calculate predicted body weight and the 6-8 ml/kg tidal volume range.

PBW kg Low VT ml High VT ml

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