PATHOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Minute ventilation is the tidal volume times the respiratory rate, usually, 500 mL × 12 breaths/min = 6000 mL/min. Increasing respiratory rate or tidal volume will increase minute ventilation.

Detailed explanation-2: -Normal minute ventilation is 5-8 L/min. A patient with a high minute ventilation has a high drive to breathe (pain, sepsis, etc) and may not be ready to breathe comfortably without the ventilator. If a patient’s minute ventilation is too low, they may retained CO2 if not mechanically ventilated.