What does transairway pressure refer to?

Transairway pressure refers to the pressure across the airway wall, which is crucial in understanding the mechanics of airflow within the respiratory system. This pressure differential is essential for assessing how air moves through the airways during ventilation. It represents the difference between the pressure of the air inside the airway (airway pressure) and the pressure outside the airway (pleural pressure).

Understanding this concept helps in evaluating conditions such as airway resistance, which can affect breathing and gas exchange. High transairway pressures can indicate increased resistance, which might occur in conditions like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

By distinguishing transairway pressure in this manner, healthcare professionals, including perfusionists, can better understand and improve patient ventilation strategies during cardiac surgery and other procedures involving anesthesia and respiratory support.