A method for the continuous measurement and display of pulmonary resistance in man

1. We have validated a method for the continuous display and 'on-line' measurement of total pulmonary resistance in man, using a hybrid digital/analog computer. 2. The basic variables, which are measured by standard techniques, are flow rate of the mouth (V) and oesophageal pressure (Poes), and these are the only analog inputs necessary to the computer. 3. Resistance (RL,cont) is calculated continuously as: RL,cont = (Poes-V/C)/V where V is tidal volume and C is the dynamic compliance. RL,cont is continuously displayed as an analog signal on an oscilloscope. 4. Changes in resistance, measured by this method over a wide range of values in three subjects, showed an almost exact correlation with those measured by a standard method (Mead-Whittenberger).