Table 1 Factors affecting respiratory mechanics
From: Clinical review: The ABC of weaning failure - a structured approach
Increased airway resistance | Reduced compliance |
|---|---|
Tube (small diameter, sputum retention) | Chest wall |
Central airways |    Edema |
   Tracheostomy malposition |    Elevated abdominal pressure |
   Sputum plug |    Pleural fluid and ascites |
   Corpus alienum (after trauma) |    Obesity |
   Tracheomalacia or tracheal stenosis | Lung |
Small airways |    Intrinsic positive end-expiratory pressure |
   Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease |    Alveolar filling (edema, pus, and collapse) |
   Acute respiratory distress syndrome |    Pneumonia |
|  |    Interstitial lung disease and fibrosis |