Thoracic pressures Flashcards
1
Q
Transairway pressure
A
pressure gradient btw mouth and alveoli.
Pta= Pm-Palv
Because this encompasses the airways it also reflects the force needed to overcome resistance
2
Q
Transrespiratory pressure
A
the inverse of trasairway
Ptr= Palv-Pbs
3
Q
transpulmonary pressure
A
Ptp= Palv-Ppl
We assume alveolar pressure is equal to airway pressure during a pause.
Pleural pressure is estimated from an esophageal catheter with a thin balloon.
4
Q
implication on transpulmonary pressure
A
If transpulmonary pressure is at 0 it means the alveoli is at risk of collapse.
Any negative value means that there is compressive force on the alveoli and likely widespread collapse
