[Control of respiratory therapy by means of rheography (author's transl)]

Rheography measures changes in electrical conductivity. In measurements taken at the thorax it was appeared that the changes in conductivity caused by breathing are superimposed by the changes caused by circulatory factors and exceed them in amplitude quite far. This makes the expansion of rheography for electrical respiration control possible. The changes in electrical conductivity are explained by inspiration into the alveoles, by the increase in the distance of the electrodes on thoracic expansion, and by the change in the intrathoracic blood volume. When using respiratory therapy the physiotherapist must pay great attention how the patient reacts to respiratory therapy and whether he is adapted correctly to the mechanical respiratory support devices. The method of "rheospirography" was tested as to whether it allows an objective, direct evaluation of the interplay between respiratory therapy and patient. The method appears to be able to control respiratory therapeutic measures as it allows an evaluation of the respiratory type, the regional ventilation, and the adaption of the patient to the device.