RESUMO
We measured the "effective" dead space of five commonly used respiratory valves: Hans Rudolph valve, two-way J valve, triple-J valve, and modified Otis-McKerrow valves without and with vane. The dead space was measured using a technique that mimicked the operation of valves during ordinary laboratory procedures. The valves were ventilated with tidal volumes ranging from 0.35-3.00 liters and at different frequencies. With all valves, there was a marked tendency for "effective" dead space to be tidal volume dependent. The measured dead space approached the water-displacement volume of the common chamber of the valve only at tidal volumes in excess of 2.0 liters. The relation between valve dead space and tidal volume was independent of frequency.
