Expiratory Resistances Prevent Expiratory Diaphragm Contraction, Flow Limitation, and Lung Collapse
Abstract
Rationale: Tidal expiratory flow limitation (tidal-EFL) is not completely avoidable by applying positive end-expiratory pressure and may cause respiratory and hemodynamic complications in ventilated patients with lungs prone to collapse. During spontaneous breathing, expiratory diaphragmatic contraction counteracts tidal-EFL. We hypothesized that during both spontaneous breathing and controlled mechanical ventilation, external expiratory resistances reduce tidal-EFL.Objectives: To assess whether external expiratory resistances 1) affect expiratory diaphragmatic contraction during spontaneous breathing, 2) reduce expiratory flow and make lung compartments more homogeneous with more similar expiratory time constants, and 3) reduce tidal atelectasis, preventing hyperinflation.Methods: Three positive end-expiratory pressure levels and four external expiratory resistances were tested in 10 pigs after lung lavage. We analyzed expiratory diaphragmatic electric activity and respiratory mechanics. On the basis of computed tomography scans, four lung compartments-not inflated (atelectasis), poorly inflated, normally inflated, and hyperinflated-were defined.Measurements and Main Results: Consequently to additional external expiratory resi...Continue Reading
References
Analysis of tidal expiratory flow pattern in the assessment of histamine-induced bronchoconstriction
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