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Chest wall interrupter resistance in anesthetized paralyzed humans
E D'Angelo1, E Prandi, M Tavola
1Istituto di Fisiologia Umana I, Università di Milano, Italy.
Journal of Applied Physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985)
|August 1, 1994
Summary
Respiratory system resistance in young adults was measured using airway occlusion. Chest wall and lung resistance were found to be independent of airflow, indicating consistent mechanical properties.
Area of Science:
- Respiratory Physiology
- Pulmonary Mechanics
Background:
- Understanding the mechanical properties of the respiratory system is crucial for diagnosing and managing respiratory diseases.
- Airway resistance is a key parameter reflecting the impedance to airflow during breathing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the interrupter resistances of the respiratory system and its components (chest wall and lung) in healthy young adults.
- To determine if these resistances are dependent on airflow rates.
Main Methods:
- Measurements of tracheal (Ptr) and esophageal (Pes) pressures and airflow in 12 supine, anesthetized, paralyzed normal subjects (aged 16-22 yr).
- Ventilation with fixed inflation volume and varying constant flows (0.24-1.12 l/s).
- End-inspiratory airway occlusion using a rapid shutter (closing time 10-15 ms) for 0.4-0.9 s, with ensemble averaging to remove cardiac artifacts.
Main Results:
- Interrupter resistances of both the chest wall and lung were independent of airflow.
- Average chest wall interrupter resistance was 0.4 +/- 0.1 cmH2O.s.l-1.
- Average lung interrupter resistance was 1.5 +/- 0.4 cmH2O.s.l-1.
- The chest wall contributed approximately 27% to the total interrupter resistance at flows <= 1 l/s.
Conclusions:
- Respiratory system and chest wall interrupter resistances are independent of airflow in healthy young adults within the tested range.
- These findings provide baseline data for the mechanical properties of the respiratory system in this demographic.