Effect of uneven ventilation on pulmonary diffusing capacity

1961 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 679-683 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin M. Lewis ◽  
E. J. Hayford-Welsing ◽  
Akio Furusho ◽  
L. C. Reed

In four normal subjects measurements of steady state diffusing capacity for CO (DLCO) by an alveolar sample technique and of the degree of uneven ventilation by nitrogen washout were made simultaneously followed by measurement of DLCO by rebreathing. A methacholine-histamine aerosol was then given. After this aerosol uneven ventilation worsened and steady state DLCO fell, while rebreathing DLCO did not change. Relief of uneven ventilation by isoproterenol was followed by increase of steady state DLCO in two subjects. Alterations in rate and depth of breathing or changes in functional residual capacity do not explain the changes in steady state DLCO which are attributed to increase in uneven ventilation as predicted by the theory of CO absorption. Theory also predicts a lack of effect of uneven ventilation on the rebreathing DLCO, but these results must be accepted with caution because deep breathing may reverse the effects of the methacholine-histamine aerosol and O2 consumption during rebreathing rises after this aerosol. Submitted on December 30, 1960

1959 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 499-506 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Tokuyasu ◽  
A. Coblentz ◽  
H. R. Bierman

Estimation of pulmonary ventilation was attempted by measuring the elimination of nitrogen and helium with the mass spectrometer. Exhalatory concentrations of nitrogen and helium were continuously recorded in each of 12 normal subjects and 10 patients with pulmonary enphysema or space-occupying pulmonary lesions. Uniform values for both slow and rapid uneven ventilation were found in all normal subjects but always less than in emphysematous states. Ratios of effective tidal volume (Vt) and alveolar ventilation volume (f·Vt) to functional residual capacity P = Vt/Vr and Q = f·Vt/Vr were one half or less than those in the normal subject. Smaller values of uneven ventilation were found for helium than nitrogen. Data computed by the theory of 'periodic' ventilation gave greater values for uneven ventilation (Q) and more accurately represented the physiologic conditions than derived by ‘continuous’ ventilation. Submitted on August 7, 1958


2002 ◽  
Vol 92 (3) ◽  
pp. 1232-1238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher N. Mills ◽  
Chantal Darquenne ◽  
G. Kim Prisk

We studied the effects on aerosol bolus inhalations of small changes in convective inhomogeneity induced by posture change from upright to supine in nine normal subjects. Vital capacity single-breath nitrogen washout tests were used to determine ventilatory inhomogeneity change between postures. Relative to upright, supine phase III slope was increased 33 ± 11% (mean ± SE, P < 0.05) and phase IV height increased 25 ± 11% ( P < 0.05), consistent with an increase in convective inhomogeneity likely due to increases in flow sequencing. Subjects also performed 0.5-μm-particle bolus inhalations to penetration volumes (Vp) between 150 and 1,200 ml during a standardized inhalation from residual volume to 1 liter above upright functional residual capacity. Mode shift (MS) in supine posture was more mouthward than upright at all Vp, changing by 11.6 ml at Vp = 150 ml ( P < 0.05) and 38.4 ml at Vp = 1,200 ml ( P < 0.05). MS and phase III slope changes correlated positively at deeper Vp. Deposition did not change at any Vp, suggesting that deposition did not cause the MS change. We propose that the MS change results from increased sequencing in supine vs. upright posture.


1963 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 519-522 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. C. Hart ◽  
M. M. Orzalesi ◽  
C. D. Cook

The respiratory anatomic dead space has been measured by the single breath nitrogen washout method of Fowler in 73 normal subjects ranging from 4 to 42 years of age. The volume of the anatomic dead space correlated closely with height (Vd (ml) = 7.585 x Ht (cm)2.363 x 10-4·ɣ = .917), but also with body weight, surface area, and functional residual capacity. When compared on the basis of any of these parameters there was no significant difference between the anatomic dead space values for males and females. Comparisons with available data for newborn infants suggest that the value of the anatomic dead space has a relatively constant relation to height from birth to adulthood. Dead space appears to increase more rapidly than weight, surface area, and functional residual capacity during, at least, the early period of somatic growth. Note: (With the Technical Assistance of J. H. Shaw) Submitted on October 25, 1962


2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 00011-2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katrina O. Tonga ◽  
Paul D. Robinson ◽  
Claude S. Farah ◽  
Greg G. King ◽  
Cindy Thamrin

Functional residual capacity (FRC) accuracy is essential for deriving multiple-breath nitrogen washout (MBNW) indices, and is the basis for device validation. Few studies have compared existing MBNW devices. We evaluated in vitro and in vivo FRC using two commercial MBNW devices, the Exhalyzer D (EM) and the EasyOne Pro LAB (ndd), and an in-house device (Woolcock in-house device, WIMR).FRC measurements were performed using a novel syringe-based lung model and in adults (20 healthy and nine with asthma), followed by plethysmography (FRCpleth). The data were analysed using device-specific software. Following the results seen with ndd, we also compared its standard clinical software (ndd v.2.00) with a recent upgrade (ndd v.2.01).WIMR and EM fulfilled formal in vitro FRC validation recommendations (>95% of FRC within 5% of known volume). Ndd v.2.00 underestimated in vitro FRC by >20%. Reanalysis using ndd v.2.01 reduced this to 11%, with 36% of measurements ≤5%. In vivo differences from FRCpleth (mean±sd) were 4.4±13.1%, 3.3±11.8%, −20.6±11% (p<0.0001) and −10.5±10.9% (p=0.005) using WIMR, EM, ndd v.2.00 and ndd v.2.01, respectively.Direct device comparison highlighted important differences in measurement accuracy. FRC discrepancies between devices were larger in vivo, compared to in vitro results; however, the pattern of difference was similar. These results represent progress in ongoing standardisation efforts.


1987 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 1299-1306 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. L. Begle ◽  
J. B. Skatrud ◽  
J. A. Dempsey

The role of conscious factors in the ventilatory compensation for shortened inspiratory muscle length and the potency of this compensatory response were studied in five normal subjects during non-rapid-eye-movement sleep. To shorten inspiratory muscles, functional residual capacity (FRC) was increased and maintained for 2–3 min at a constant level (range of increase 160–1,880 ml) by creating negative pressure within a tank respirator in which the subjects slept. Minute ventilation was maintained in all subjects over the entire range of increased FRC (mean change +/- SE = -3 +/- 1%) through preservation of tidal volume (-2 +/- 2%) despite slightly decreased breathing frequency (-6 +/- 2%). The decrease in frequency (-13 +/- 2%) was due to a prolongation in expiratory time. Inspiratory time shortened (-10 +/- 1%). Mean inspiratory flow increased 15 +/- 3% coincident with an increase in the slope of the moving time average of the integrated surface diaphragmatic electromyogram (67 +/- 21%). End-tidal CO2 did not rise. In two subjects, control tidal volume was increased 35–50% with CO2 breathing. This augmented tidal volume was still preserved when FRC was increased. We concluded that the compensatory response to inspiratory muscle shortening did not require factors associated with the conscious state. In addition, the potency of this response was demonstrated by preservation of tidal volume despite extreme shortening of the inspiratory muscles and increase in control tidal volumes caused by CO2 breathing. Finally, the timing changes we observed may be due to reflexes following shortening of inspiratory muscle length, increase in abdominal muscle length, or cardiovascular changes.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document