American journal of veterinary research
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Comparative Study
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. ⋯ 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.