Clinical applications of pulmonary function and graphics

Pulmonary function and mechanics testing are emerging as a valuable tool to aid clinical decision making in the management of ventilated infants. Although there are as yet no published randomized controlled trials to suggest that pulmonary mechanics testing reduces mortality or morbidity, it has--in conjunction with clinical, radiological, and blood gas monitoring--changed neonatal ventilation from "good judgement" to "informed judgement". It is not surprising that pulmonary graphics are increasingly being used as a tool for assessment of patient status, therapeutic evaluation, and management guidance of infants who become dependent on ventilator. A working knowledge of pulmonary graphics also improves understanding of pulmonary physiology and pathophysiology, and their responses to mechanical ventilatory support. Recent advances in microprocessor technology for on-line analysis of pulmonary mechanics have made such evaluations easily available for bedside clinical application.