Artificial Respiration

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Abstract
Artificial and natural respiration are alike in basic mechanical events. Principles relating flow and pressure characteristics of a respirating device to the flow and pressure attributes of the biologic system are known. However, little information has been gathered as to the actual values for respiratory characteristics of organisms on whom artificial respiration is used. These characteristics, the distensibility and elasticity of the lungs and chest, and the flow resistance of the lungs, are affected by pulmonary vascular changes, tracheo-bronchial secretions and other factors which must be taken into account in the assessment of adequate artificial respiration. Physiologic accompaniments of natural and artificial respiration diverge in the case of the systemic circulation; the inspiratory aspiration of venous return in natural breathing is replaced by inspiratory inhibition of venous return by methods which cause elevation of intrathoracic pressure. This effect is closely related to the mean deviation of intrapulmonary pressure from pressure around the body, and is of practical importance in proportion to the loss of vasomoter reactivity and other circulatory compensation mechanisms. An effect which is harmful in the presence of shock may be beneficial in the presence of pulmonary edema. A method which favors the circulation may be less effective than others in ventilating the lungs. Optimal use of different methods is therefore dependent upon knowledge of physiologic behavior of the organism.

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