Characterization of respiratory mechanics in mechanically ventilated neonates by using inflation and interrupter methods

Resistances (Rrs) and compliance (Crs) of the respiratory system and intrinsic positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEPi) were measured in 16 ventilated neonates from the recording of flow, volume, and pressure at airway opening using the passive inflation and the interrupter methods. Results obtained by the two methods highly correlated. However, inflation method provided a continuous visual display, and interrupter method allowed one to partition the transpulmonary pressure during lung inflation into elastic, intrinsic resistive, and stress adaptation plus pendelluft components. So, these two methods are complementary.