Respiratory variability in the context of anesthesiology

Our bodies are constantly adjusting to internal and external influences to maintain homeostasis. A good example is our breathing: we don’t always breathe at exactly the same rate or depth. These small changes are called variability. They show that the body can adapt to what it needs at any given moment, whether that’s exercise, rest, or stress. In this dissertation, we explore how this breathing variability changes in patients who have undergone surgery, receive sedation, or are living with chronic pain. By better understanding these patterns, we hope to improve how we recognize whether someone is recovering well or may need extra medical attention.