Estimation of expiratory resistance: a simulation study

It is of particular importance to detect and quantify obstructive pathological conditions in mechanically ventilated patients, especially in the presence of expiratory flow limitation (EFL), in order to help the clinicians in the choice of the most appropriate ventilation and pharmacological strategies. Aim of this work is to test by simulation a non invasive procedure for estimating the total apparent expiratory resistance of the respiratory system (Rtae). The proposed procedure is based on a time-varying two-element viscoelastic model characterized by the variable resistance Rtae and by a constant compliance estimated by the end-inspiratory occlusion technique. A non linear, dynamic, morphometric model of respiratory mechanics, based on Weibel's representation of the tracheobronchial tree, was used to simulate normal and obstructive respiratory conditions, leading to EFL, during artificial ventilation. The proposed resistance was computed in all simulated cases when the 50% and the 75% of tidal volume has been exhaled during a normal expiration. Rtae appeared to be dependent on the degree of airway obstruction and could provide useful information on how the airway compression varies during expiration.