Dependencies of respiratory system resistance and elastance on amplitude and frequency in the normal range of breathing.

We calculated respiratory system resistance (Rrs) and elastance (Ers) from pressure and flow at the mouth in six seated subjects relaxed at FRC (cheeks tightly compressed) during sinusoidal volume forcing (250, 500, and 750 ml) at 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6 Hz. Dependencies of Rrs and Ers on frequency and tidal volume were generally the same in each subject; Rrs tended to decrease with frequency and tidal volume, whereas Ers tended to increase with frequency and decrease with tidal volume. Multiple linear regression of combined data indicated that the frequency and tidal volume effects on Rrs and Ers were significant (p less than 0.05), and that the effects on Rrs decreased at higher flows. Average Rrs was highest (4.43 cm H2O/L/s +/- 0.21 SE) at 0.2 Hz-250 ml, and lowest (3.07 cm H2O/L/s +/- 0.37) at 0.6 Hz-750 ml. Average Ers was highest (12.1 cm H2O/L +/- 1.1) at 0.6 Hz-250 ml, and lowest (7.1 cm H2O/L +/- 0.6) at 0.2 Hz-750 ml. We conclude that frequency and tidal volume dependencies in Rrs and Ers in the normal range of breathing should be considered when interpreting measurements of respiratory system impedance or developing models to describe the mechanical behavior of the respiratory system.