1. What is the METs Equation?

The METs (Metabolic Equivalent of Task) equation estimates energy expenditure during physical activity. It's particularly useful for pre-operative clearance to assess a patient's functional capacity.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the METs equation:

Where:

• \( T \) — Time in minutes

Explanation: The equation calculates metabolic equivalents based on exercise duration, helping assess cardiovascular fitness.

3. Importance of METs Calculation

Details: METs assessment is crucial for pre-operative evaluation to determine if a patient can tolerate the physiological stress of surgery.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the exercise time in minutes. The value must be positive and realistic for exercise duration.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are METs used for in pre-op clearance?
A: METs help assess cardiovascular fitness and predict perioperative cardiac risk.

Q2: What METs value indicates good functional capacity?
A: Generally, ≥4 METs is considered acceptable for most surgeries, while <4 METs may indicate higher risk.

Q3: How does this relate to exercise testing?
A: This calculation can be used with treadmill or other exercise test durations to estimate achieved METs.

Q4: Are there limitations to this equation?
A: The equation provides an estimate and may not account for individual variations in fitness or exercise conditions.

Q5: Should this be the only factor in pre-op assessment?
A: No, it should be combined with other clinical factors and possibly more comprehensive testing when indicated.