Solid State vs. Balloon Esophageal Catheter for Estimation of Pleural Pressure

Measurements of esophageal pressure (Pes) as surrogate for pleural pressure are routinely performed in selected ICU patients to facilitate lung-protective ventilation and assess breathing effort. Pes is clinically measured via a nasogastric esophageal catheter. Current techniques involve balloon catheters but have some important disadvantages as they could deflate over time and require a very precise positioning and filling volume. A solid-state sensor does not have disadvantages associated with balloon catheters and may therefore be a useful alternative in clinical practice. This method-comparison study in adult mechanically ventilated ICU patients evaluates the accuracy of Pes measured using an esophageal catheter with a solid-state sensor as compared to a balloon catheter as reference standard.