Figure 2
Recording obtained from the ventilator display screen (Césarventilator, Taema, Antony, France) during measurement of the pressure-volumecurve with a constant flow technique (9 l/min). The diagram on the right showsthat the patient is ventilated in a volume controlled (VAC) mode at a constantinspiratory flow with a tidal volume of 1480 ml, a respiratory frequency of4.9 breaths/min and a fractional inspired oxygen of 97%. These settings delivera constant flow of 9 l/min (diagram in the middle) over a period of 9.6 s. Thepressure-volume curve is seen on the left side of the screen. The lowerinflection point and the slope are determined with the help of two cursors. From Lu et al [10].