Fig. 3From: Prone position ameliorates lung elastance and increases functional residual capacity independently from lung recruitmentStress–strain curve in supine and prone positions. Mean and standard error bars (n = 10) of the stress–strain curve in supine (black) and prone (white) positions. Strain was calculated as volume over FRC/FRC; stress was equal to transpulmonary pressure [P L = (P aw − P aw,ZEEP) − (P es,vol − P es,ZEEP)] (see text). Each dot represents a 100-ml step of lung inflation; pressure was recorded after static conditions were reached. The slope of the linear part of the stress–strain curve, which corresponds to specific lung elastance, is not different between prone and supine positionsBack to article page