Esophageal and intrapleural pressures in the healthy conscious pony.

Pleural and esophageal pressures were compared in 6 standing sedated ponies. Pleural pressure was measured with blunt needles attached to transducers and inserted in the 10th intercostal space level with and 10 and 20 cm above the point of the shoulder. Two balloons (a condom and an esophageal balloon) attached to transducers measured esophageal pressure in the cranial, middle, and caudal portions of the thoracic part of the esophagus. Tidal volume was measured by integrating a flow signal derived from a pneumotachograph attached to an endotracheal tube inserted through a tracheostomy. Frequency responses of all measuring systems were matched. Frequency responses of all measuring systems were matched. The change in pleural pressure during respiration was greatest in the middle and ventral portions of the thorax, less in the dorsal portion of the thorax and in the middle and caudal portions of the thoracic part of the esophagus, and least in the cranial portion of the thoracic part of the esophagus. The type of esophageal balloon had no effect on the measured pressure change. Regional variations in esophageal or pleural pressure during breathing caused variations in the calculated dynamic compliance. Pleural pressure gradients of 0.33 cm of water/cm of descent and 0.484 cm of water/cm of descent were recorded in the dorsal and ventral halves of the thorax, respectively, and may result in regional variations in lung inflation similar to those observed in persons.