1. Ventilation inhomogeneity: alveolar mechanics and gas distribution.
- Author
-
Salmon RB, Saidel GM, Primiano FP Jr, Niewoehner DE, and Chester EH
- Subjects
- Adult, Cadaver, Humans, Lung Compliance, Lung Volume Measurements, Pulmonary Gas Exchange, Models, Theoretical, Pulmonary Alveoli physiology, Respiration
- Abstract
The effects of regional lung differences in alveolar mechanics on the transpulmonary pressure-volume (Ptp-V) relationship and the single-breath washout (SBW) of nitrogen were investigated by mathematical modeling and postmorten human lung experiments. Regional nonuniformity in alveolar collapse and re-opening were associated with differences in gravitational stress or elasticity. Model simulations predict that neither type of regional nonuniformity qualitatively affects the shape of the Ptp-V curve, but does affect the terminal (or small-volume) portion of the SBW. Comparisons of characteristics of the Ptp-V and SBW curves indicate that regional nonuniformity in alveolar collapse is an important mechanism associated with ventilation inhomogeneity.
- Published
- 1983
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