Study: Gender, Height and Weight Influence Tidal Volumes in Patients

Gender, height and weight may play a role in the incidence and risk factors involved in patients receiving large tidal volumes, according to a study published in BMC Anesthesiology 2011.

The authors conducted the study because of the growing concern around the potential for injury from ventilatory over-distention in patients without lung injury. According to the report, no formal guidelines exist for intraoperative ventilation settings, but the use of tidal volumes under 10mL/kg predicted body weight has been recommended in healthy patients.

The authors performed a cross-sectional analysis of an electronic database for current intraoperative ventilation practices and risk factors for receiving large tidal volumes. The results showed that BMI greater than or equal to 30, female gender and height less than 165 cm may predispose patients to receive large tidal volumes under general anesthesia.

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