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🫁 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…

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SourceGrasselli G, et al. ESICM guidelines on ARDS. Intensive Care Med. 2023;49(7):727-759.

Runs locally in your browser (no PHI uploaded). For licensed clinicians — not a substitute for clinical judgement.
Stored on this device for revisit reminders

This-shift next steps

After scoring: open the scene pack, peer scores, and the matching pathway. Local reference — no HIS write.

Score + version; reference only — not a substitute for care · no HIS write

Paste the link in Slack, Teams, X, or LinkedIn — the preview image comes from this page’s Open Graph card.

Methodology · worked example, guidelines & full notes
Clinical takeaway

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.

Height170 cm
SexMale

→Target tidal volume (6 mL/kg)396mL

  • Ideal body weight IBW:65.9 kg
  • Range (4–8 mL/kg):264 ~ 527 mL
Height170 cm
SexFemale

→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)
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