II. Definitions

  1. Vital Capacity
    1. Maximal volume expelled after maximal inspiration

III. Images

IV. 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

V. References

  1. Rollings (1984) Facts and Formulas, p. 17-18
  2. Wilson (1991) Harrison's IM, McGraw-Hill, p.1033-6

Images: Related links to external sites (from Bing)

Related Studies

Ontology: Vital capacity (C0042834)

Concepts Clinical Attribute (T201)
MSH D014797
SnomedCT 82348004, 165030001, 142203003, 268379003
LNC MTHU042533
English VC, Vital capacity, Lung vital capacity, vital capacity, forced vital capacity, vc, fvc, lung vital capacity, vital lung capacity, Vital capacity, function (observable entity), VC - Vital capacity, Vital capacity (observable entity), Vital capacity (function)
Dutch VC
French CV (capacité vitale), Capacité vitale expiratoire forcée, CVF (Capacité Vitale expiratoire Forcée), Capacité vitale forcée, Capacité vitale, CV (Capacité vitale)
German VC, Forcierte Vitalkapazität, Vitalkapazität
Portuguese CV, Capacidade Vital Forçada, Capacidade Vital
Japanese VC, VC, 努力性肺活量, 肺活量, 努力肺活量
Czech VC, vitální kapacita
Finnish Vitaalikapasiteetti
Italian Forza vitale, Capacità vitale
Russian FORSIROVANNAIA ZHIZNENNAIA EMKOST' LEGKIKH, ZHIZNENNAIA EMKOST' LEGKIKH, LEGKIKH ZHIZNENNAIA EMKOST', ЖИЗНЕННАЯ ЕМКОСТЬ ЛЕГКИХ, ФОРСИРОВАННАЯ ЖИЗНЕННАЯ ЕМКОСТЬ ЛЕГКИХ
Croatian VITALNI KAPACITET
Polish VC
Hungarian VC
Norwegian FVC, Vitalkapasitet, Forsert vitalkapasitet
Spanish CV, capacidad vital, función, capacidad vital, función (entidad observable), capacidad vital (entidad observable), capacidad vital (función), capacidad vital