Clinical review: respiratory mechanics in spontaneous and assisted ventilation. Crit Care 2005 Oct 05;9(5):472-84
Date
11/10/2005Pubmed ID
16277736Pubmed Central ID
PMC1297597DOI
10.1186/cc3516Scopus ID
2-s2.0-27144524546 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 113 CitationsAbstract
Pulmonary disease changes the physiology of the lungs, which manifests as changes in respiratory mechanics. Therefore, measurement of respiratory mechanics allows a clinician to monitor closely the course of pulmonary disease. Here we review the principles of respiratory mechanics and their clinical applications. These principles include compliance, elastance, resistance, impedance, flow, and work of breathing. We discuss these principles in normal conditions and in disease states. As the severity of pulmonary disease increases, mechanical ventilation can become necessary. We discuss the use of pressure-volume curves in assisting with poorly compliant lungs while on mechanical ventilation. In addition, we discuss physiologic parameters that assist with ventilator weaning as the disease process abates.
Author List
Grinnan DC, Truwit JDMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Airway ResistanceExhalation
Humans
Inhalation
Lung Compliance
Respiration, Artificial
Respiratory Mechanics
Ventilator Weaning
Work of Breathing
