Critical Care

ARDSnet Mechanical Ventilation Protocol & Tidal Volume Calculator

Calculates lung-protective tidal volumes (4-8 mL/kg PBW), driving pressure, and PEEP/FiO2 tables.

Enlarge

Parameters

ARDSnet Mechanical Ventilation Protocol & Tidal Volume Calculator Result

Formula

Male PBW (kg) = 50 + 2.3 × (Height in inches - 60)
Female PBW (kg) = 45.5 + 2.3 × (Height in inches - 60)
Initial Tidal Volume = 6 mL/kg PBW
Driving Pressure = Plateau Pressure (Pplat) - PEEP

Clinical Pearls

The universally adopted, mortality-reducing cornerstone of critical care mechanical ventilation in ARDS, severe sepsis, COVID-19 pneumonitis, and trauma lung injury.

Limitations

Always calculate tidal volume based on PREDICTED body weight (derived from height), never actual body weight.