Minute ventilation

Minute ventilation (or respiratory minute volume) is the volume of gas inhaled (inhaled minute volume) or exhaled (exhaled minute volume) from a person's lungs per minute. It is an important parameter in respiratory physiology.

Calculation

Minute ventilation is calculated as the respiratory rate, RR, times the tidal volume, Vt, and is given by the formula:

VE = RR * Vt

where:

• VE is the minute ventilation,
• RR is the respiratory rate, and
• Vt is the tidal volume.

Clinical significance

Minute ventilation is an important parameter to monitor in patients who are critically ill, particularly those on mechanical ventilation. It can provide valuable information about the patient's ventilatory status and response to therapy.

In pulmonary function testing, minute ventilation is used to calculate the ventilatory equivalent for oxygen and carbon dioxide.

See also

• Tidal volume
• Respiratory rate
• Ventilatory equivalent
• Pulmonary function testing

References

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