wow i was begining to think everyone had vanished!....thanks for the detailed replies however the ards, valve regurgitation and resp failure stuff you kindly added, was actually th topics that i'd prepared. if you were simply adding more info- then thats great. but i hope you didnt think that i'd asked all those questions!!!! much appreciate the METs info. (the question which i asked help with)...all is well knowing what it is...but how can 'we' use it in a clinical setting??

jess