Relationships between stimulus and work of breathing at different lung volumes

Abstract

An electrophrenic stimulator has been used on anesthetized cats and dogs to investigate the intrathoracic pressure produced by a given stimulus at different lung volumes. With a stimulus of fixed strength the resulting intrathoracic pressure swing bears an inverse relationship to lung volume. The mechanical work done in response to a given stimulus is dependent on the viscoelastic properties of the lungs and chest wall. The muscular work resulting from a stimulus and the efficiency of the chest muscles are also dependent on the position of the diaphragm and possibly on the position of the remainder of the chest wall. Submitted on February 27, 1962