compressible volume


com·pres·si·ble vol·ume

(kŏm-pres'i-bĕl vol'yūm) The volume of gas compressed (and therefore lost) in the mechanical ventilator circuit per delivered pressure; most systems have compressible volume loss factors of 3-5 mL/cm H2O; some newer mechanical ventilators calculate the loss factor and monitor gas delivery so that the set volume is the volume that actually enters the patient's airway.

compressible volume

During mechanical ventilation, the volume lost during distension of the ventilator circuit which does not contribute to the patient's ventilation.See also: volume