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Assessing Respiratory System Mechanical Function
Ruben D Restrepo1, Diana M Serrato1, Rodrigo Adasme2
1Department of Respiratory Care, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, MC 6248, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; Department of Respiratory Care, Universidad Santiago de Cali, Calle 5#62-00, Cali, Colombia 760035.
Abstract:
The main goals of assessing respiratory system mechanical function are to evaluate the lung function through a variety of methods and to detect early signs of abnormalities that could affect the patient's outcomes. In ventilated patients, it has become increasingly important to recognize whether respiratory function has improved or deteriorated, whether the ventilator settings match the patient's demand, and whether the selection of ventilator parameters follows a lung-protective strategy. Ventilator graphics, esophageal pressure, intra-abdominal pressure, and electric impedance tomography are some of the best-known monitoring tools to obtain measurements and adequately evaluate the respiratory system mechanical function.
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