Measurements of Pulmonary Compliance in Seventy Healthy Young Adults

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Abstract
Measurements of pulmonary compliance were made in 70 healthy young adults during interrupted breathing by the volume-step method. The values apply only to a volume range of from 1.0–1.5 liters beginning at the resting end-expiratory position, in seated individuals. The mean compliance for the group was 0.165±0.049 liters/cm of water, with a range of 0.09– 0.33 liters/cm of water. Within a subject the standard deviation of repeated measurements at a single esophageal level was ±0.015 liters/cm of water; the standard deviation of a combination of measurements from two esophageal levels was ±0.036 liters/cm of water; and the standard deviation of a combination of measurements obtained at the same esophageal level on separate days was ±0.019 liters/cm of water. Compliance showed a positive correlation with height, body surface area, and observed vital capacity, but was poorly correlated with age (range: 18–39 years), and sex. Compliance did not change significantly following voluntary overbreathing in 8 subjects. The values for compliance during interrupted breathing corresponded closely with values obtained in a comparable group during spontaneous breathing. Submitted on December 5, 1955