ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of acute changes in minute ventilation (VE) on oxygen consumption (VO2), carbon dioxide production (VCO2), respiratory quotient, and energy expenditure during volume-controlled mechanical ventilation in the critically ill surgical patient. The effects on some oxygen transport variables were assessed as well.DesignProspective, randomized clinical studySettingAdult surgical intensive care unit of a university teaching hospital.PatientsTwenty adult critically ill surgical patients were studied during volume-controlled mechanical ventilation.InterventionsAfter a basal period of stability (no changes over time in body temperature, energy expenditure, blood gases, acid-base status, cardiac output, and ventilatory parameters), VE was then randomly either increased or reduced (+/- 35%) by a change in tidal volume (VT), while respiratory rate and inspiratory/expiratory ratio were kept constant. Settings were then maintained for 120 mins. During the study, patients were sedated and paralyzed.Measurements and Main ResultsVO2, VCO2, and respiratory quotient were measured continuously by a Nellcor Puritan Bennett 7250 metabolic monitor (Nellcor Puritan Bennett, Carlsbad, CA). Hemodynamic and oxygen transport parameters were obtained every 15 mins during the study. Despite large changes in VE, VO2and energy expenditure did not change significantly either in the increased or in the reduced VE groups. After 15 mins, VCO2and respiratory quotient changed significantly after ventilator resetting. VCO2increased by 10.5 +/- 1.1% (from 2.5 +/- 0.10 to 2.8 +/- 0.12 mL/min/kg, p < .01) in the increased VE group and decreased by 12.4 +/- 2.1% (from 2.7 +/- 0.17 to 2.4 +/- 0.16 mL/min/kg, p < .01) in the reduced VE group. Similarly, respiratory quotient increased by 16.2% +/- 2.2% (from 0.87 +/- 0.02 to 1.02 +/- 0.02, p < .01) and decreased by 17.2% +/- 1.8% (from 0.88 +/- 0.02 to 0.73 +/- 0.02, p < .01). VCO2normalized in the reduced VE group, but remained higher than baseline in the increased VE group. Respiratory quotient did not normalize in both groups and remained significantly different from baseline at the end of the study. Cardiac Index, oxygen delivery, and mixed venous oxygen saturation increased, while oxygen extraction index decreased significantly in the reduced VE group. Neither of the mentioned parameters changed significantly in the increased VE group.ConclusionsWe conclude that, during controlled mechanical ventilation, the time course and the magnitude of the effect on gas exchange and energy expenditure measurements caused by acute changes in VE suggest that VO2and energy expenditure measurements can be used reliably to evaluate and quantify metabolic events and that VCO2and respiratory quotient measurements are useless for metabolic purposes at least for 120 mins after ventilator resetting. (Crit Care Med 1999; 27:531-539)