Lung Mechanics Over the Century: From Bench to Bedside and Back to Bench

Lung physiology research advanced significantly over the last 100 years. Respiratory mechanics applied to animal models of lung disease extended the knowledge of the workings of respiratory system. In human research, a better understanding of respiratory mechanics has contributed to development of mechanical ventilators. In this review, we explore the use of respiratory mechanics in basic science to investigate asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We also discuss the use of lung mechanics in clinical care and its role on the development of modern mechanical ventilators. Additionally, we analyse some bench-developed technologies that are not in widespread use in the present but can become part of the clinical arsenal in the future. Finally, we explore some of the difficult questions that intensive care doctors still face when managing respiratory failure. Bringing back these questions to bench can help to solve them. Interaction between basic and translational science and human subject investigation can be very rewarding, as in the conceptualization of Lung Protective Ventilation principles. We expect this interaction to expand further generating new treatments and managing strategies for patients with respiratory disease.

Automated summary

Lung physiology research has made significant advancements in the past 100 years, contributing to our understanding of the respiratory system and the development of mechanical ventilators. This review examines the application of respiratory mechanics in studying asthma and COPD, as well as its role in clinical care and the development of modern mechanical ventilators. The analysis also includes the exploration of laboratory-developed technologies that have the potential to become part of clinical practice in the future, and the challenges faced by intensive care doctors in managing respiratory failure.