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Monitoring Lung Function with Electrical Impedance Tomography in the Intensive Care Unit
Published on: September 6, 2024
[Monitoring respiratory mechanics in ventilated patients: a bedside approach]
Davy Cabrio1, Arnaud Rey2, Jean Bonnemain1
1Service de médecine intensive adulte, Centre hospitalier universitaire vaudois, 1011 Lausanne.
Abstract:
In clinical practice, the term respiratory mechanics usually refers to the concept of compliance and resistance of the respiratory system. In ventilated patients, measurements of compliance and resistance can be performed at the bedside using the ventilator (end- inspiratory and end-expiratory occlusions). Those measurements allow caregivers to monitor pulmonary disorders and evaluate treatment effectiveness. In case of sudden change in compliance or resistance, the variation of flow and pressure curves displayed on the ventilator screen helps to narrow down the differential diagnosis. This article defines what are compliance and resistance and how to calculate and use them at the bedside.
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