[Behavior of functional residual capacity in acute respiratory insufficiency]

Variations of functional residual capacity (FRC, estimated by the N2-washout technique) and oxygenation (PaO2/FIO2) were investigated in patients mechanically ventilated for acute respiratory failure (ARF, caused by pneumonia). The various ventilatory modes were compared. The results were as follows: 1. If FRC is reduced due to ARF, the reduction is diminished by PEEP. The quantitative amount of this effect cannot be predicted in the individual patients. 2. If CPPV is switched to IMV or CPAP with an equal PEEP value, FRC was not usually changed when the clinical course was favourable; however, FRC decreased if clinical signs of insufficient spontaneous respiration were present. The proportion of FRC reduction following such a change of respiratory mode was equal to the effect of removal of PEEP from 10 cm H2O to zero. 3. FRC and oxygenation do not undergo a parallel change in every situation. 4. Treatment and further research should focus not only on increasing reduced lung volume but mainly on diverting ventilation to perfused lung regions.