Model-based Analysis of Ventilation Inhomogeneity in Respiratory Mechanics

Individualized models of respiratory mechanics help to reduce potential harmful effects of mechanical ventilation by supporting the evaluation of patient-specific lung protective ventilation strategies. Assessing ventilation inhomogeneities might be an important aspect in optimizing ventilator settings. The aim of this studyis to capture and analyze ventilation inhomogeneity by a mathematical model using clinical data. The results show that the lung physiology of mechanically ventilated patients without lung condition can be described by an inhomogeneity model revealing two alveolar compartments with median time constants of 0.4 and 3.9 s. Thus, the IHM in combination with specific ventilation maneuver might be suitable to capture lung physiology for model-based optimization of ventilator settings but requires additional image-based investigations to further support the validity of the model.