2018A Question 13

Define and describe LUNG compliance. Describe the difference between static and dynamic compliance.

Examiner Report

49% of candidates achieved a pass in this question.

To score well on this question both halves had to be addressed. Candidates who did well generally began with an accurate definition of compliance, usual units and values, and then went on to elaborate upon lung compliance including its determinants. Accurately drawn diagrams often aided the descriptions being given, but were not a requirement to do well. In the second half of the question attention had to turn to static and dynamic compliance. Descriptions of these and how each were measured led neatly into a discussion of some of the important causes of time dependence.

Model Answer

Structure:

  • Graphs x 2
  • Static compliance
  • Determinants of static compliance
  • Dynamic compliance
  • Difference between static and dynamic compliance: I.e. hysteresis
  • Causes of hysteresis: Airflow resistance, time-dependence

Graphs

Static Compliance

Factor Details
Definition - when airflow has stopped
Normal

- 200mL/cmH2O

Measurement in spontaneous ventilation

- Inhale known volume from FRC, pause with open glottis

- Distal oesophageal manometer for intrathoracic pressure ≈ intrapleural pressure

- ∆P = distal oesophageal pressure – mouth pressure

- (Pmouth ≈ Poesophageal)

Measurement in mechanical ventilation

- Volume control ventilation (fixed inspiratory flow rate)

- ∆P = Plateau pressure – PEEP

Determinants of Static Compliance

Factor Details
Intrinsic elasticity

- ↓ Intrinsic elasticity → ↓ Inward recoil:

 - Elderly/smoking → Emphysema → ↑ LC

 - Fibrosis → ↓ LC

 - Pulmonary oedema → ↓ LC

Surfactant

- Amphipathic

- Reduces surface tension at air-water interface

- (LaPlace’s law: Surface tension (ST) = pressure x radius / 4)

- ↑ Compliance, ↓ alveolar collapse

- Deficiency → ↓ LC (prematurity, SP-B or SP-C deficiency)

Absolute lung size

- LaPlace’s law: ↑ Size → ↑ Alveolar radius → ↓ ST → ↑ LC

 - Adult LC: 100mL/cmH2O > Neonate LC: 1.5-6mL/cmH2O

 - Male > Female

 - Taller > shorter

Relative lung volume

- High: Surfactant spread out → ↑ ST → ↓ LC

- Low: ↓ Radius → ↑ ST, Alveolar collapse → ↓ LC

 - e.g. Pregnancy, obesity

- Max compliance at FRC

Gravity

- Basal compression → ↓ Alveolar volume at FRC → ↑ Basal LC

- Apical traction → ↑ Alveolar volume at FRC → ↓ Apical LC

Posture

- Supine: ↓ LC

 - Dorsal lung compressed by ventral lung/mediastinum/abdo viscera

 - Awake: Compression + → Dorsal LC > ventral LC

 - Under GA: Compression +++ → Ventral LC > dorsal LC

- Prone: ↑ LC

 - Lung/mediastinum/abdo viscera supported by sternum and ribs

 - ↑ Uniformity of intrapleural pressure / volume / compliance

- Overall ↑ FRC and ↑ LC (esp. if abdomen free)

Pulmonary blood volume

- Congestion → ↓ LC

- (e.g. Heart failure, supine posture)

Dynamic Compliance

Factor Details
Definition - during airflow
Normal

- 50-100mL/cmH2O

- i.e. Much less than static compliance

Measurement in spontaneous ventilation

- Cannot measure directly

- Pmouth ≠ Palveolar due to airway resistance

Measurement in mechanical ventilation

- Volume controlled ventilation

-

Difference Between Static And Dynamic Compliance

Difference Details
Hysteresis The lag in a property of a system behind changes in the factor determining that property
Manifestations

Lung volume lags behind changes in airway pressure

- For a given lung volume, TPP during inspiration > TPP during expiration

Causes of Hysteresis

Resistance to airflow:

Factor Details
Equations

- Laminar:

- Turbulent:

Resistance ↑ with:

- ↓ Airway radius (most important)

 - ↓ Absolute lung size (e.g. Neonate cf. adult)

 - Relative lung volume (e.g. Diaphragm displacement in pregnancy)

 - Intraluminal obstruction (e.g. Mucus)

 - Luminal obstruction (bronchoconstriction, swelling)

 - Extraluminal obstruction (e.g. Dynamic airways compression)

- ↑ Viscosity: e.g. ↑ Temp

- ↑ Length

Time-dependence:

Factor Details
Surfactant changes

- Lag in even spread → Lag in equilibration of surface tension between alveoli

- For a given lung volume: Surface tension in inspiration > surface tension in expiration

- *most important factor*

Stress relaxation

- Due to viscoelasticity of collagen

Pendelluft

- Distribution of air from fast-τ to slow- τ lung units at end inspiration and early expiration

- τ= resistance x compliance

- Fast unit: Low resistance, low compliance

- Slow unit: High resistance, high compliance

- e.g. Bronchoconstriction → ↑ Resistance → ↑ τ

Recruitment

- Recruitment of collapsed alveoli during inspiration

- Quasi Starling resistor

- e.g. Collapse after thoracic surgery


Last updated 2022-01-14

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