Lab

Vital Capacity

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Vital Capacity, VC

  • See Also
  1. Pulmonary Function Test
  2. Lung Volumes
  3. Diffusing Capacity
  4. Inhalation Challenge Test
  5. Exercise Spirometry
  6. Functional Residual Capacity
  7. Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR)
  8. Spirometry Lower Limit of Normal (PFT LLN)
  9. Obstructive Lung Disease
  10. Restrictive Lung Disease
  • Definitions
  1. Vital Capacity
    1. Maximal volume expelled after maximal inspiration
  • Images
  1. lungVolumes.png
  • Calculation
  1. Components (additive)
    1. Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV) +
    2. Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV) +
    3. Tidal Volume (TV)
  2. Normal adult: 3 to 5 Liters
  3. Gender Differences (values are >80% of predicted)
    1. Females: 50 to 60 cc/kg
    2. Males: 70 cc/kg
  4. Advancing age after 20 years
    1. Vital Capacity decreases 200 to 250 cc per 10 years
  5. Calculations based on height
    1. Females: (27.63 - (0.112 x age)) x (height cm)
    2. Males: (21.78 - (0.101 x age)) x (height cm)
  6. Minimum (life sustaining): 15 cc/kg
  • References
  1. Rollings (1984) Facts and Formulas, p. 17-18
  2. Wilson (1991) Harrison's IM, McGraw-Hill, p.1033-6