The use of interrupter resistance (Rint) is a feasible method of measuring respiratory resistance during bronchodilator and bronchial hyperresponsiveness testing in preschool children. In addition to a single value of Rint, it has been suggested that analysis of recorded oscillations of the mouth pressure may provide additional indices of changes in airway mechanics. This paper reviews the studies concerning analysis of those pressure oscillations, as well as modelling of the respiratory system in order to understand how different structures in this system can influence interrupter measurements.
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