Respiratory: Pulmonary Ventilation: Volumes, Flows, Dead Space and Preoxygenation Flashcards
Draw and label a spirometry trace
Tidal Volume
the volume of gas which is inhaled or exhaled during the course of a normal breath
TV VT, ml
6-8ml/kg
Residual Volume
the volume of gas that remains in the lungs after a maximal forced expiration
RV, ml
20ml/kg
Inspiratory reserve volume
the volume of gas that can be further inhaled aftee the end of a normal tidal inhalation
IRV, ml
20-40ml/kg
Expiratory reserve volume
the volume of gas that can be further exhaled after the end of a normal todal exhalation
ERV, ml
20ml/kg
Capacity
the sum of two or more lung volumes
Vital capacity
The volume of a gas inhaled when a maximal expiration is followed immediately by a maximal inspiration.
The sum of the ERV, IRV and TV
VC, ml
60ml/kg
Functional residual capacity
The volume of gas that remains in the lungs after a normal tidal expiration
The sum of the ERV+RV
FRC, ml
35-45ml/kg
Key functions:
- O2 resevoir
- prevention of airways collapse
- optimal compliance
- optimal pulmonary vascular resistance
Closing volume
the volume of gas over and above residual volume that remains in the lungs when the small airways begin to close (ml)
Calculated by measuring the nitrogen concentration in expired gas after a single breath of 100% O2 (nitorgen wash out)
Closing capacity
the lung capacity at which the small airways begin to close.
It is a combination of residual volume and closing volume (ml)
Increases with age
reaches standing FRC at 70 years and supine FRC at 40 years
Total lung capacity
90ml/kg
What volumes/capacities can not be measured?
RV, FRV, TLC
Can be measured by helium dilution or body plethysmography
Water-Sealed Spirometer
- breathing into a closed chamber that is partially submerged in water
- brathing in and out displaces the water
- movement recored by pen on moving paper
- cant measure residual volume
Dry Spirometer
- bellows driven recording device e.g. a vitalograph
- set of bellows which are attached to a pen
- as patient inhales and exhales the bellows collapse and expand moving the pen
Body Plethysmography
- The subject is placed in an airtight box
- air pressure (P1) and volume (V1) within the box are measured
- subject then inhales and exhales to a particular lung volume (normally FRC) through a mouthpiece
- shutter drops across the breathing tube
- subject continues to make respiratory efforts against the closed shutter
- chest volume increase -> box air volume decrease
- Boyles law
- PV = k
- pressue in box increases (P2)
- P1 x V1 = P2 x (V1-change in lung volume)
- FRC:
- Initial airway pressure x initial lung volume = inspiratory airway pressure x inspiratory volume of chest
- Where initial lung volume = FRC, and inspiratory volume of the chest = change in lung volume + FRC
- This measurement of FRC (unlike helium dilution) includes lung units that are collapsed or with poor air entry