\[VO_2=CO\left(C_{aO_2}-C_{vO_2}\right)\]
Variables
VO2[VO₂]oxygen consumption (mL/min)
COcardiac output (L/min)
CaO2[CaO₂]arterial oxygen content (mL O₂/L blood)
CvO2[CvO₂]mixed venous oxygen content (mL O₂/L blood)
Description
What is this formula?
The Fick Oxygen Consumption formula calculates the body's oxygen consumption using cardiac output and the difference between arterial and mixed venous oxygen content.
When to use it
Use this formula when evaluating cardiovascular performance, tissue oxygen utilization, cardiac output measurements, or critical care physiology.
Example
Data:
CO = 5.0 L/min
CaO2 = 200 mL O₂/L
CvO2 = 150 mL O₂/L
Formula:
VO₂ = CO × (CaO₂ − CvO₂)
Substitution:
VO₂ = 5.0 × (200 − 150)
VO₂ = 5.0 × 50
Result:
VO₂ = 250 mL/min
The body's oxygen consumption is 250 mL/min.
Applications
- Hemodynamic monitoring
- Critical care medicine
- Exercise physiology
- Cardiology
- Metabolic assessment