In the tidal volume formula for adjusting PaCO2, what value is the Desired PaCO2 set to?

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In the tidal volume formula for adjusting PaCO2, what value is the Desired PaCO2 set to?

The aim when adjusting PaCO2 with tidal volume is to restore normal, or normocapnic, CO2 levels. That target is a PaCO2 of 40 mmHg. In the tidal volume adjustment approach, you scale the tidal volume using the ratio of the current PaCO2 to the desired PaCO2: Vt2 = Vt1 × (PaCO2 measured / Desired PaCO2). If the measured PaCO2 is higher than 40, the ratio is greater than 1, so you increase tidal volume to blow off more CO2 and bring PaCO2 down toward 40. If the measured PaCO2 is lower than 40, the ratio is less than 1, and you decrease tidal volume to let PaCO2 rise toward 40. The other values (35, 45, 50) represent deviations from normal, but the standard target used in this formula is 40 mmHg.

The aim when adjusting PaCO2 with tidal volume is to restore normal, or normocapnic, CO2 levels. That target is a PaCO2 of 40 mmHg. In the tidal volume adjustment approach, you scale the tidal volume using the ratio of the current PaCO2 to the desired PaCO2: Vt2 = Vt1 × (PaCO2 measured / Desired PaCO2). If the measured PaCO2 is higher than 40, the ratio is greater than 1, so you increase tidal volume to blow off more CO2 and bring PaCO2 down toward 40. If the measured PaCO2 is lower than 40, the ratio is less than 1, and you decrease tidal volume to let PaCO2 rise toward 40. The other values (35, 45, 50) represent deviations from normal, but the standard target used in this formula is 40 mmHg.

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