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What is the respiratory exchange ratio test?

Dr Neeraj Jain
Senior Consultant and Head, Dept. of Respiratory Medicine,
Sir Ganga Ram Hospital,
New Delhi

Q: What is the respiratory exchange ratio test done for? What does it indicate and how is it done? Is there a special machine like PFT? Where is it done?

A:The respiratory exchange ratio test (RER) is calculated as a ratio of VCO2 and VO2. It is not done routinely for clinical purposes and is mainly a research investigation reflecting energy consumption during exercise.