Static Compliance

(CS)
Bobbi Jimenez
Sue Trapp

CS (ml/cmH2O)

Compliance- The ability of the alveoli to stretch and accept a

volume of air per a given pressure gradient. Air flows from
high to low pressures into the lungs.

Static compliance is determined during a time of no airflow by

finding the plateau pressure.

During an I hold/breath hold, Plateau pressure can be

measured.

Plateau pressure is the pressure in the alveoli that disperses

through the Pores of Kohn, canals of lambert, and channels of
martin when a breath is held.

Compliance vs Elastance

Compliance in its most general form:

C L=
V
P

Elastance in its most general form:

E=
P
V

Elastance opposes compliance; Elastance is the ability

to recoil or return to its original position.

Equation

Cs=
Vt
Plateau- PEEP

Compliances Role in
Ventilation
When the diaphragm contracts, a negative

intrapleural pressure of approximately -2cmH2O is

generated.
This establishes the pressure gradient for air to

flow into the lungs, since the intrapleural pressure

is negative compared to atmospheric pressure. Air
is a mixture of gases, so it will flow from an area of
high to an area of low pressure.
The lungs can then accept a volume of air.

Normal Values: 60-100 ml/cmH2O ( on vent)

0.1-0.2 L/cmH2O

More Normal Values

Pediatric patients 40 to 50ml/cmH20

Neonates 10 to 20 mL/cmH20
Static compliance with ventilator circuit: Tubing

compliance varies depending on the type of

diameter of tubing used. Typically tubing
compensation (Ct) 2 to 3 mL/cmH2O
Cs=Vt-[(plateau-PEEP) x Ct]/(Plateau PEEP)

Compliance Changes

Decreased Cs
Seen in Restrictive Processes:
PNA
Pneumothorax
Loss of surfactant
Pulmonary Edema
Atelectasis
Pleural Effusions
Neuromuscular Diseases

Decreased Cs

Why is Cs decreased with Restrictive Processes?

Restrictive process= Volume problem

Volume DECREASES
Plateau Pressure can INCREASE on vent because the
same amount of delivered Vt is trying to disperse
into a smaller volume area.

RESTRICTIVE PROCESSES
LEADING TO DECREASED VT
AND/OR INCREASED PLATEAU
PRESSURES

DECREASED STATIC COMPLIANCE

Cs=
Vt
Plateau- PEEP

We can see that:

1) Plateau=Cs
2) Vt= Cs

Compliance Changes
Increased Cs
Emphysema

Increased Airtrapping causes

increased
measured PEEP and
greater dispersion
of air in alveoli due
to loss of elasticity,
which causes a
drop in plateau
pressure.

INCREASED STATIC COMPLIANCE

Cs=
Vt
Plateau- PEEP

We can see that:

1) Vt=Cs
2) Plateau=Cs
3) Auto-PEEP=Cs

Waveforms
Plateau pressure decreases
from Peak pressure as gas
dispersion occurs in alveoli

Waveforms

LOW COMPLIANCE= LOW VT

HIGH COMPLIANCE= HIGH VT

QUICK RISE TO HIGH PEAK

PRESSURE AND HIGH
PLATEAU PRESSURE

SLOW RISE TO PEAK PRESSURE

AND LOW PLATEAU PRESSURE

AIR-TRAPPING CAN LEAD TO AUTO-PEEP, WHICH INCREASES MEASURED

PEEP, WHICH CAN LEAD TO INCREASED Cs, SIMILAR TO WHAT HAPPENS IN
EMPHYSEMIC PATIENTS

VOLUME-PRESSURE LOOP

DECREASED COMPLIANCE LEADS TO HIGHER PRESSURES AND DUMPING

OF VOLUME SO THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE SETTING IS NOT EXCEDED.

FLOW-VOLUME LOOP

RESTRICITVE PROCESSES LEAD TO

DECREASED VT, WHICH CAUSE Cs
TO DECREASE.