The effect of intrathoracic pressure changes recorded by digital thoracic drainage system on cardiac functions

Aim: Intrathoracic pressure changes can be determined numerically with digital thoracic drainage systems which can be attached to the chest tubes. Echocardiography can be used in the evaluation of cardiac function and it is more practical, inexpensive and non-invasive method than cardiac catheterization and radionuclide ventriculography. In our study, we investigated intrathoracic pressure changes while documenting the effects of these changes on cardiac functions. Method: We collected the datas of intrathoracic pressure values by a digital thoracic drainage system from 41 patients who were treated with chest tu…