Impact of respiratory mechanics model parameters on gas exchange efficiency

Respiratory Physiology: Gas Exchange and Respiratory Mechanics

Respiration provides oxygen (O2) and removes carbon dioxide (CO2) for the body. An extraordinary anatomic arrangement of functional units (the alveoli) delimited by extra-thin walls (epithelium and endothelium) creates the interface for gas exchange between air and blood. Repetitive expansion and collapse of the chest wall facilitates movement of gas in and out of the lungs. This review focuses...

Respiratory mechanics and gas exchange in postobstructive pulmonary vasculopathy.

Chronic unilateral pulmonary artery ligation induces formation of new bronchial collateral vessels in the affected lung. These vessels form precapillary anastomoses with the pulmonary circulation and the lung is perfused with arterial blood. Inspired gas is diverted to the contralateral lung to maintain the ventilation/perfusion ratio (VA/Q) and gas exchange. This study was designed to determin...

Effects of the prone position on respiratory mechanics and gas exchange during acute lung injury.

We studied 16 patients with acute lung injury receiving volume-controlled ventilation to assess the relationships between gas exchange and respiratory mechanics before, during, and after 2 h in the prone position. We measured the end-expiratory lung volume (EELV, helium dilution), the total respiratory system (Cst,rs), the lung (Cst,L) and the thoracoabdominal cage (Cst,w) compliances (end-insp...

Update on Respiratory Physiology: Pulmonary Gas Exchange

End-inspiratory pause prolongation in acute respiratory distress syndrome patients: effects on gas exchange and mechanics

BACKGROUND End-inspiratory pause (EIP) prolongation decreases dead space-to-tidal volume ratio (Vd/Vt) and PaCO2. We do not know the physiological benefits of this approach to improve respiratory system mechanics in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients when mild hypercapnia is of no concern. METHODS The investigation was conducted in an intensive care unit of a university hospi...