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Variability of dynamic compliance measurements in spontaneously breathing and ventilated newborn infants
Author(s) -
Ratjen F. A.,
Wiesemann H. G.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
pediatric pulmonology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.866
H-Index - 106
eISSN - 1099-0496
pISSN - 8755-6863
DOI - 10.1002/ppul.1950120203
Subject(s) - medicine , anesthesia , ventilation (architecture) , pulmonary compliance , work of breathing , artificial ventilation , airway , respiratory system , mechanical ventilation , respiratory physiology , catheter , airway resistance , respiratory disease , lung , surgery , mechanical engineering , engineering
We studied reproducibility and variability of dynamic pulmonary compliance (Cdyn) by making measurements with the esophageal balloon at multiple locations within the esophagus, in both spontaneously breathing and mechanically ventilated newborn infants. Reliable measurements could be obtained over a range similar to that reported for measurements with a liquid‐filled catheter. In spontaneously breathing infants Cdyn was found to be highly variable. This variability was unrealated to catheter position but was associated with concomitant changes in pulmonary resistance. Probably because of the high variability, the correlation of Cdyn with a measurement of respiratory system compliance (Crs) was rather poor (r = 0.63). Cdyn measured in mechanically ventilated infants was significantly less variable and compared favorably to Crs (r = 0.86), but its accuracy could not be adequately assessed since the comparison of esophageal and airway occlusion pressure was not feasible in all infants. In addition, significant differences in Cdyn were found between spontaneous and ventilated breaths during mechanical ventilation. Further studies in both ventilated and spontaneously breathing infants are needed to assess the variability of Cdyn over extended time periods. Pediatr pulmonol.1992; 12:73–80.