Factors Related to Lung Compliance in Patients with Permanent Ventilation Dependence

Abstract

Objective: We aimed to clarify factors related to lung compliance in patients with permanent ventilation dependence.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. We measured the static lung compliance (Cstat) and dynamic lung compliance (Cdyn) of 29 patients, and compared the values between those with and without atelectasis, pleural effusion, and spontaneous breathing. Correlation analyses were performed to examine the relationships between lung compliances and ventilation status, demographic parameters, and biochemical blood data.

Results: Cstat was significantly lower in patients with atelectasis than in those without. Cstat and Cdyn were significantly correlated with the body mass index (BMI), rapid shallow breathing index (RSBI), alveolar arterial oxygen partial pressure difference, and days of ventilator management. Cstat was also significantly correlated with age, C-reactive protein, and the number of pneumonia episodes.

Conclusion: The negative influence of BMI on Cstat and Cdyn was high, suggesting the need for nutritional management against obesity. This study also suggested that Cstat is affected by atelectasis, the number of pneumonia episodes, and inflammatory blood response. The decreases in Cstat and Cdyn may affect the ventilation efficiency reflected by RSBI. It is necessary to examine whether the improvements in atelectasis and pneumonia frequency affect Cstat and the ventilation efficiency index in the future.