Measurement of alveolar pressure

Abstract

Alveolar pressures can be measured over a wide range of airflow rates and lung volumes, using a volume-displacement body plethysmograph with a rebreathing bag to minimize thermal exchange between lung and plethysmograph air (modified Jaeger-Otis method). Suitable plethysmographic volume change ( [DELTA] Vbox) recordings can be obtained by conditioning both the air in the plethysmograph (at near room temperature) and the gas in the rebreathing bag (at BTPS [Body temperature and pressure saturated with water vapor] conditions). Procedures and limitations of this method are discussed.