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Pulmonary surfactant thus greatly reduces surface tension, increasing compliance allowing the lung to inflate much more easily, thereby reducing the work of breathing. It reduces the pressure difference needed to allow the lung to inflate. The lung's compliance, and ventilation decrease when lung tissue becomes diseased and fibrotic. [3]
Lung surfactant (LS) is a surface-active material produced by most air-breathing animals for the purpose of reducing the surface tension of the water layer where gas exchange occurs in the lungs, given that the movements due to inhalation and exhalation may cause damage if there is not enough energy to sustain alveolar structural integrity.
Surfactant homeostasis is critical for breathing (and thus survival) in the prematurely born infant, but also for maintaining lung health, and normal lung function throughout life. Changes in the amount or composition of surfactant can alter its function and are associated with respiratory diseases. [10] [11] [12] [13]
But two factors prevent the lungs from collapsing: surfactant and the intrapleural pressure. Surfactant is a surface-active lipoprotein complex formed by type II alveolar cells. The proteins and lipids that comprise surfactant have both a hydrophilic region and a hydrophobic region. By absorbing to the air-water interface of alveoli with the ...
Surfactant administration can also be effective in meconium aspiration syndrome where it has been shown to help lower length of stay. [7] [8] For patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), surfactant has not been shown to reduce mortality. However, it may be beneficial in those with COVID-19 associated ARDS.
Pulmonary surfactant is produced in the lungs in order to facilitate breathing by increasing total lung capacity, and lung compliance. In respiratory distress syndrome or RDS, surfactant replacement therapy helps patients have normal respiration by using pharmaceutical forms of the surfactants.
They also equalize the pressure in adjacent alveoli and, combined with increased distribution of surfactant, thus play an important role in prevention of collapse of the lung. [6] Unlike adults, in children these inter-alveolar connections are poorly developed which aids in limiting the spread of infection.
Surfactant homeostasis is critical for breathing (and thus survival) in the prematurely born infant, but also for maintaining lung health, and normal lung function throughout life. Quantitative and/or qualitative alterations in surfactant composition and/or function are associated with respiratory diseases. [11] [12] [13] [14]