Intraesophageal pressure monitoring in infants with respiratory disorders.

Intrapleural (Ppl) and intraesophageal pressure (Pes) measurements were compared during spontaneous respiration in sick infants. The Pes, measured with a water-filled catheter, indicates pressure variations in the esophagus to be about 4.5% smaller than in the pleural cavity. However, there is a highly significant linear correlation (r = 0.96, p less than 0.001) between pressure variations in the pleural cavity and in the esophagus during spontaneous respiration; i.e., Pes monitoring will indicate Ppl variations. Air in the pleural cavity causes marked diminution in Pes fluctuation. Continuous monitoring of Pes may be useful in the early detection of pulmonary air leak in neonates with respiratory disorders.