Measurement of 'closing volume' initiated from functional residual capacity

Comparison of the nitrogen method closing volume (CV) test, with oxygen inspiration initiated at residual volume (RV method) and functional residual capacity (FRC method), was made in 91 seated normal subjects. For RV and FRC methods, respectively CV%VC (mean+/-SD) was 14.4% (+/-6.2) and 17.5%(+/-7.5) (P=0.005); slope of Phase III of CV trace was 0.99% N2/1 (+/-0.76) and 1.66% N2/1(+/-1.07) (P=0.005); size of cardiogenic oscillations was 1.05% N2(+/-0.42) and 1.21% N2(+/-0.40) (P=0.001). These data confirm earlier predictions, based on a calculated increased lung top to bottom N2 gradient in the FRC method. Support for this mechanism was obtained in 5 additional normal subjects in whom the increased CV%VC, slope of Phase III and size of cardiogenic oscillations with the FRC method were eliminated when the top-to-bottom N2 gradient was reduced by breathing a reduced FIN2. Measurements made using the classical RV method cannot be directly compared to those using the FRC method.