Ventilation Index
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Respiratory rate in breaths/min (RR)
Peak Inspiratory Pressure (PIP)
unit Torr/mmHg kPa cmH20
Peak End Expiratory Pressure (PEEP)
unit Torr/mmHg kPa cmH20
Pressure of CO2 (PaCo2)
unit Torr/mmHg kPa cmH20
R e s u l t s
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Ventilation Index
 
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Ventilation Index

Ventilation Index (VI) is calculated using initial ventilator settings (respiratory rate(RR), peak inspiratory pressure (PIP), and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood (PaCO2).

Formula:

  • VI = (RR * (PIP - PEEP) * PaCO 2 ) / 1000
  • RR = Respiratory rate in breaths/min
  • PIP = Peak Inspiratory Pressure in mmHg or Torr
  • PEEP = Peak End Expiratory Pressure in mmHg or Torr
  • PaCO 2 = Pressure of CO 2 in mmHg or Torr

Interpretation:

  • One study of pediatric Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), found that the VI in children with ARDS could be used to predict death. Both those children who lived and died initially had VI values of 30-35; however, nonsurvivors continued to increase their VI, usually starting around day 3-5 of ARDS onset, with a VI of >65 having a positive predictive value of >90% for death occurring.
  • Other studies indicate this rise in ARDS around day 3 to be a negative prognostic indicator. In bronchiolitis, a VI or >37 was associated with need for prolonged mechanical ventilation.

References:

  • Almeida-júnior AA, Da silva MT, Almeida CC, et al. [Association between ventilation index and time on mechanical ventilation in infants with acute viral bronchiolitis]. J Pediatr (Rio J). 2005;81(6):466-70.
  • Ben-abraham R, Weinbroum AA, Augerten A, et al. Acute respiratory distress syndrome in children with malignancy--can we predict outcome? J Crit Care. 2001;16(2):54-8.
  • Mahmoud AB, Burhani MS, Hannef AA, Jamjoom AA, Al-githmi IS, Baslaim GM. Effect of modified ultrafiltration on pulmonary function after cardiopulmonary bypass. Chest. 2005;128(5):3447-53.
  • Paret G, Ziv T, Barzilai A, et al. Ventilation index and outcome in children with acute respiratory distress syndrome. Pediatr Pulmonol. 1998;26(2):125-8.