Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 12, 2026

Assessment of Respiratory Function in Conscious Mice by Double-chamber Plethysmography
Published on: July 10, 2018
[Assess respiratory drive by esophageal pressure measurement]
Xuejun Chen1, Demin Han, Zhonghui Lin
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Tongren Hospital. chenxuejun@medmail.com.cn
Objective:
To evaluate the difference between the classificatory results of esophagus pressure monitor and thorax and abdomen belt.
Methods:
From Nov. 2000 to Jan. 2001, 34 patients received polysomnographic examination in Beijing Tongren Hospital. The aero digestive pressure was monitored simultaneously at 4 different points, i.e., the distal part of esophagus, hypopharynx, oropharynx and nasopharynx. Respiratory events were classified based on measurement of thorax and abdomen movements and esophageal pressure, and two classification results were compared.
Results:
Four patients were excluded from comparing classification results because of apnea hypopnea index < 5, or deformity in face and low sleep efficiency. Other 30 patients, 26 men and 4 women, at age of 45.4 +/- 9.5 (30-66), were enrolled. Classificatory difference was found in 9.7% (1,183 out of 12,238) of the respiratory events between two methods. The largest part of apneas reclassified by esophageal pressure measurement were mixed apneas reclassified as obstructive apnea (600). The difference of respiratory drive restore time measured by two methods was found between mixed reclassified obstructive apneas and mixed apneas confirmed by two methods, P = 0.028. No difference between mixed reclassified obstructive apneas and obstructive apneas confirmed by two methods. Difference of apnea classifications was due to the changes of respiratory drive restore time caused by different sensitivity of respiratory drive measurement. The number of difference was related to sensitivity of thorax and abdominal channel (P = 0.000, r2 = 0.653).
Conclusion:
Apneas are easy to be misclassified due to the low sensitivity of thoracic and abdominal channel, and this problem can be solved by using esophageal pressure measurement. All kinds of apneas have anatomic and neuro-muscular factor in common.
Related Concept Videos
Assessment of Ventilation I: Respiratory Rate
A Ventilation assessment is critical for monitoring a patient's health status. Respiration, one of the most accessible vital signs, provides insights into the function of numerous body systems and can indicate serious health issues, such as brainstem injuries from head trauma.
Critical Guidelines for Assessing Ventilation:
Assessment of Diffusion and Perfusion
The Role of Diffusion in Respiration
Diffusion is the process by which molecules move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration. In the respiratory system, this principle...
Assessment of Respiration
Subjective Assessment: Nurses interview the patient to gather information directly during the subjective assessment. It includes questions about the individual's medical history, medications, and symptoms, focusing on past respiratory conditions like asthma or COPD,...
Assessment of Airway, Skin Color, and Use of Accessory Muscles
Introduction
The initial evaluation of a patient's respiratory system...
Assessment of Ventilation II: Respiratory Depth and Rhythm
Respiratory depth measures the volume of air inhaled or exhaled during a breath. It can vary from shallow to deep and typically remains consistent when a person is at rest or asleep. Occasionally, individuals will automatically inhale deeply, known as sighing, which inflates the lungs with more air than normal breathing.
To assess respiratory depth, observe the degree of chest excursion or movement:
Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract II: Inspection
Chest Configuration
The chest configuration can...

