Energy expenditure in mechanical ventilation: is there an agreement between the Ireton-Jones equation and indirect calorimetry?

Objective: Assess the agreement between the energy expenditure measured by indirect calorimetry and that estimated by the Ireton-Jones formula of critically ill patients under assisted mechanical ventilation.

Methods: Participated in the study individuals able to interrupt ventilation support, admitted at the center of intensive care of the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre - RS, between August 2006 and January 2007. Energy expenditure was measured by indirect calorimetry using a specific monitor, as well as estimated by the Ireton-Jones formula.