Why is assessing lung compliance critical in mechanical ventilation?

Assessing lung compliance is critical in mechanical ventilation because it evaluates the distensibility of the lungs and chest wall. Compliance is a measure of how easily the lungs can expand when subjected to a given pressure. High compliance indicates that the lungs can expand easily, while low compliance means that more effort is needed to achieve the same level of inflation. This characteristic is vital in managing ventilation settings, as it affects how much air is delivered to the lungs with each breath and how much pressure is required to do so.

Understanding lung compliance helps clinicians adjust ventilatory parameters effectively, avoiding complications such as barotrauma or atelectasis. It also plays a role in assessing the severity of underlying lung conditions such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), guiding treatment decisions and ventilator management strategies.