TY - JOUR T1 - Impact of ageing and pregnancy on the minute ventilation/carbon dioxide production response to exercise JF - European Respiratory Review JO - EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY REVIEW DO - 10.1183/16000617.0225-2020 VL - 30 IS - 161 SP - 200225 AU - Michele R. Schaeffer AU - Jordan A. Guenette AU - Dennis Jensen Y1 - 2021/09/30 UR - http://err.ersjournals.com/content/30/161/200225.abstract N2 - Ventilatory efficiency can be evaluated using the relationship between minute ventilation (V′E) and the rate of CO2 production (V′CO2). In accordance with the modified alveolar ventilation equation, this relationship is determined by changes in dead space volume (VD) and/or the arterial CO2 tension (PaCO2) equilibrium point. In this review, we summarise the physiological factors that may account for normative ageing and pregnancy induced increases in V′E/V′CO2 during exercise. Evidence suggests that age-related increases in VD and pregnancy-related decreases in the PaCO2 equilibrium point are mechanistically linked to the increased V′E/V′CO2 during exercise. Importantly, the resultant increase in V′E/V′CO2 (ratio or slope), with normal ageing or pregnancy, remains below the critical threshold for prognostic indication in cardiopulmonary disease, is not associated with increased risk of adverse health outcomes, and does not affect the respiratory system's ability to fulfil its primary role of eliminating CO2 and maintaining arterial oxygen saturation during exercise.The minute ventilation/carbon dioxide production response to exercise is elevated with advancing age and in healthy pregnancy due to increased dead space and lowering of the arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide equilibrium point, respectively. https://bit.ly/2GJXm0o ER -