Obstructive vs Restrictive Disease.pdf

4/19/2011
Factors Affecting
Compliance
Compliance essentially means the
volume change for any given pressure
Compliance measures the distensibility
of the lung tissue
“Good” lung compliance to EMS means
that the lungs expand easily
Stiff lungs usually have lower volumes
Factors Affecting
Compliance
The chest wall also must be taken into
consideration
Deformity of the chest wall may reduce lung
volumes
Obesity may reduce chest wall compliance
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Scoliosis
Comparison - Obstructive
Anatomy affected - airways
Breathing difficulty - expiration
Pathophysiology - ↑ airway resistance
Pulmonary functions – ↓ airway flow
rates
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Comparison - Restrictive
Anatomy affected – lung tissue or thorax
Breathing difficulty - inspiration
Pathophysiology - ↓ lung, or thoracic,
compliance
Pulmonary functions – ↓ lung volumes,
or capacities
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Graphic
Air flow is slowed
because of an
obstruction to flow,
either because of
constriction, mucus or
edema
The person can breathe
Expiration
out quickly, but has stiff
lungs, deformity, weak
muscles in the thorax,
etc… and is unable to
take in a very deep
breath
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