Question:
What is maximal voluntary ventilation?
Answer:
Maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV) or maximal breathing capacity (MBC) is a quantitation of the largest volume of gas that can be moved into and out of the lungs in one minute by voluntary effort. As a preoperative procedure, the MVV is used as an indicator of the patient’s respiratory reserve, muscle strength, and motivation. In addition, the MVV may be utilized to reflect the severity of a patient’s airway obstruction.
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