SYMPOSIUM

Role of lung function testing in the management of mechanically ventilated infants

A Schibler¹ and U Frey²

¹ Neonatal and Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, Department of Paediatrics, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
² Paediatric Respiratory Medicine, Department of Paediatrics, University of Bern

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Dr Schibler, Neonatal and Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, Department of Paediatrics, Children's Hospital University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland;
andreas.schibler{at}insel.ch

The mechanical characteristics of the ventilated lung can only be interpreted when the volume of the lung, the elastic properties, and the degree of airway obstruction have been accurately quantified by pulmonary function testing. More gentle ventilation strategies (permissive hypercapnia) are used, and the efficacy of mechanical ventilation can be verified in the intensive care unit. Pulmonary function testing brings new insights, awareness, and applications, but its limitations need to be taken into account when interpreting the acquired data.

Keywords: lung function testing; ventilation; respiration

Abbreviations: PFT, pulmonary function test; RDS, respiratory distress syndrome; CLD, chronic lung disease; ETT, endotracheal tube; PEEP, positive end expiratory pressure; PTCCO₂, transcutaneous carbon dioxide tension; PETCO₂, end tidal carbon dioxide tension; C_dyn, dynamic compliance; R_e, dynamic resistance; FRC, functional residual capacity

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