Surface Tension of Body Fluids in Pathophysiology and Diagnosis

Overview

The term „surface tension“ is at present used with increasing frequency in the professionalliterature, in particular in conjunction with problems of the physiology and pathophysiology oflung surfactant. Surface tension of body fluids plays however also an important role in thedevelopment of diseases caused by work under conditions of compressed air, in development ofgastric ulcers, development of air embolism and other conditions. Recently surface tension isused, being a readily assessed variable, as a diagnostic parameter in diseases associated withits changes. In practice this applies in particular to assessment of the surface tension of thetracheal aspirate within the framework of early diagnosis of the respiratory distress syndrome.

Key words:
surface tension of body fluids - diagnosis - pathophysiology - correlation.