🫁 Lung-Protective Tidal Volume
UseEnter height and sex; the tool computes IBW and the 6 mL/kg target with the 4–8 mL/kg range. Set the ventilat…
SourceGrasselli G, et al. ESICM guidelines on ARDS. Intensive Care Med. 2023;49(7):727-759.
This-shift next steps
After scoring: open the scene pack, peer scores, and the matching pathway. Local reference — no HIS write.
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Methodology · worked example, guidelines & full notes
Tidal volume is set by ideal — not actual — body weight, because lung size tracks height, not adiposity; using actual weight in obesity causes dangerous over-distension. (original synthesis · not guideline verbatim)
When to use
Enter height and sex; the tool computes IBW and the 6 mL/kg target with the 4–8 mL/kg range. Set the ventilator to the target, then titrate within range while watching plateau pressure.
How it works
IBW(kg) = (male 50 / female 45.5) + 2.3 × (height_inches − 60). Target Vt = 6 mL/kg IBW; permissible range 4–8 mL/kg IBW.
Key points
- Tidal volume is set by ideal — not actual — body weight, because lung size tracks height, not adiposity; using actual weight in obesity causes dangerous over-distension. (original synthesis · not guideline verbatim)
- Pair the volume target with plateau pressure ≤ 30 cmH₂O (ARDSNet). Driving pressure is associated with mortality in observational data (Amato 2015).
- Permissive hypercapnia is generally acceptable to keep the lung protective; combine with an appropriate PEEP strategy.
References
Worked calculation
The values below come from this tool's own example placeholders and are computed server-side with the formula shown on this page, so the arithmetic can be checked quickly. It demonstrates how to substitute values only — it is not clinical advice and not a real case.
| Height | 170 cm |
|---|---|
| Sex | Male |
→Target tidal volume (6 mL/kg)396mL
- Ideal body weight IBW:65.9 kg
- Range (4–8 mL/kg):264 ~ 527 mL
| Height | 170 cm |
|---|---|
| Sex | Female |
→Target tidal volume (6 mL/kg)369mL
- Ideal body weight IBW:61.4 kg
- Range (4–8 mL/kg):246 ~ 491 mL
Verification & sources · governance
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
- What are the limits and cautions when using Lung-Protective Tidal Volume?
- For licensed clinicians and clinical researchers. Interpret results with history, investigations and local protocols; not a diagnosis or prescription, and not a substitute for multidisciplinary decision-making or local guidelines.
- Does Lung-Protective Tidal Volume upload patient data? Where is it calculated?
- Calculation runs locally in the browser; inputs and results are not uploaded. For licensed clinicians only; interpret with history, investigations and local protocols — not a diagnosis or prescription.
- How is Lung-Protective Tidal Volume calculated in practice? Can you show a worked example?
- Inputs: Height 170 cm, Sex Male → Result: Target tidal volume (6 mL/kg) 396 mL(Ideal body weight IBW: 65.9 kg, Range (4–8 mL/kg): 264 ~ 527 mL) Inputs: Height 170 cm, Sex Female → Result: Target tidal volume (6 mL/kg) 369 mL(Ideal body weight IBW: 61.4 kg, Range (4–8 mL/kg): 246 ~ 491 mL)