OBSERVATIONS ON THE DYNAMIC LUNG COMPLIANCE OF PATIENTS WITH RESPIRATORY WEAKNESS RECEIVING INTERMITTENT POSITIVE PRESSURE RESPIRATION

Dynamic lung compliance was measured in six conscious patients with respiratory weakness, both while receiving intermittent positive pressure respiration and while breathing spontaneously. In all patients the lungs became more compliant when spontaneous respiration was commenced, and the rate of increase of compliance was determined. The cause of low lung compliance found in patients ventilated by intermittent positive pressure is discussed.