Λεξικό .. Airway resistance

Airway resistance is a measure of resistance to air flow through the central airways and is measured by body plethysmography. It is assessed by first determining the pressure required to overcome airflow resistance and the resultant rate of air flow.

The rate of airflow depends primarily on the degree of resistance within the tracheobronchial tree and the driving force moving the air through the airways. Of the two, airway resistance is more important in the asthmatic patient because even small decreases in airway caliber produce major changes in airway resistance. If airway resistance increases, active muscle contraction is required to force air from the lungs during expiration within a reasonably short period of time. Measurement of specific airway resistance [sR(aw)] contributes significantly to asthma diagnosis in children at risk of the delayed asthma diagnosis[1].

References
Brzozowska A, Majak P, Grzelewski T, Stelmach W, Kaczmarek J, Stelmach P, Jerzynska J, Stelmach I. Measurement of specific airway resistance decreased the risk of delay in asthma diagnosis in children. Allergy Asthma Proc. 2009 Jan-Feb;30(1):47-54.