Anaesthesia Fundamentals | Physiology | Pulmonary Ventilation: Volumes, Flows, Dead Space and Preoxygenation

Pulmonary Ventilation: Volumes, Flows, Dead Space and Preoxygenation
Session Overview
Description
This session covers the measurement and clinical importance of lung volumes, including functional residual capacity and dead space. Information regarding the performance and interpretation of flow-volume loops is also included.

Learning Objectives
By the end of this session you will be able to:

• Identify the lung volumes as seen on a spirometry trace
• Describe the various methods of measuring lung volumes, including spirometers, body plethysmography, helium dilution and nitrogen washout
• List the four key functions of the functional residual capacity
• List the factors that affect the functional residual capacity
• Define anatomical and physiological dead space and describe how each may be measured
• Draw a normal flow-volume loop and describe how this may be altered by respiratory disease

The maintenance of oxygenation and adequate pulmonary ventilation are core components of safe anaesthetic practice.

In order to achieve these goals, a clear understanding of pulmonary physiology and anatomy is essential.

This session discusses the measurement and clinical importance of lung volumes.